Wilson Creek & the Bloody Hill Ghosts, Missouri

Wilson Creek was the site of a bloody battle between the Union and Confederate forces on August 10, 1861, that resulted in more than 2,500 casualties and the death of the first Union general in combat, Nathaniel Lyon. The battle was also known as the Battle of Oak Hills or the Battle of Springfield, and it gave the Confederates control of southwestern Missouri for a while.

Today, you can visit the Wilson's Creek National Battlefield, where you can see the original Ray House, a restored 1852 farmhouse that served as a temporary field hospital during the battle, and a museum that displays artifacts and exhibits related to the battle. You can also walk or drive along a seven-mile tour road that follows the battle lines and stops at eight interpretive sites, including Bloody Hill, where most of the fighting took place.

But be warned: you might not be alone on your tour. Many visitors and staff have reported seeing, hearing, and feeling ghostly phenomena at Wilson Creek, especially on Bloody Hill. Some of the common sightings include:

- A woman in a white wedding dress and veil, who is believed to be the ghost of a bride who died in a car crash near a bridge leading to the park. She is often seen near the bridge or wandering around the park, looking for her groom.

- A tall man with long blonde hair, who is seen standing in one of the fourth-floor windows of the visitor center. He has never been seen inside the building, only from outside. Some speculate that he might be a Confederate soldier or a civilian who witnessed the battle.

- A janitor who died in a fire at the Landers Theatre in Springfield, where some of the wounded soldiers were taken after the battle. He is seen sitting in the balcony of the theatre, watching the performances. He is also said to haunt the Walnut Street Inn, a bed and breakfast that was once a hospital for Union soldiers.

- A vaudeville stagehand who hanged himself from the rigging above the stage at the Landers Theatre. He is seen walking on the catwalks or swinging from a rope.

- A mother and a child who are heard crying and comforting each other inside the visitor center or the Ray House. No one knows who they are or why they are there, but some think they might be related to one of the soldiers or civilians who died in the battle.

These are just some of the ghosts that haunt Wilson Creek and its surroundings. If you are brave enough to visit this haunted place, you might encounter some of them yourself. But don't worry: they are not known to be violent or malicious, just restless and sad. Maybe they are waiting for someone to acknowledge their presence and their history, or maybe they are hoping for peace and closure. Either way, they are part of Missouri's rich and tragic past, and they deserve respect and compassion.