The Battle of Droop Mountain, a pivotal Civil War clash, unfolded on November 6, 1863, on the rugged terrain of Pocahontas County, West Virginia. 

As Union forces, led by General William W. Averell, prepared to raid the Virginia & Tennessee Railroad at Salem, Virginia, they encountered a formidable Confederate brigade under Brigadier General John Echols.

Though weary from a grueling 27-mile march along what is now US-219, the Confederates stood resolute atop Droop Mountain, determined to block the Union advance.

That fateful November day saw one of the largest and most dramatic battles in West Virginia. Though outnumbered, the Confederate troops held the high ground and fiercely defended their position. 

For hours, the Union army was unable to break through. However, in the afternoon, a daring Union assault overran the Confederate lines, forcing Echols and his men to retreat.

Despite the defeat, Echols had delayed the Union advance long enough to prevent them from reaching the critical railroad.

The battle was short but brutal, lasting a single day. Much of the fighting devolved into savage hand-to-hand combat. While the exact number of casualties varies, it is known that at least 78 men were killed—45 Union soldiers and 33 Confederate troops—while many more were wounded.

A Cycle of Endless Conflict

Droop Mountain’s story does not end with the final shots fired. The battlefield has earned a chilling reputation as one of the most haunted locations in West Virginia. The spirits of those who fought and fell there are said to roam the hills still, trapped in a cycle of endless conflict.

In 1920, a retired logger named Edgar Walton, returning home with a friend, decided to camp overnight in Droop Mountain State Park. 

He set up camp near a small cemetery where Confederate soldiers were buried. As the night deepened and Walton sat by the fire, the leaves rustled in the distance. Suddenly, a headless apparition of a Confederate soldier appeared, floating silently past. 

Walton and his friend, paralyzed with fear, watched in stunned silence. This eerie encounter was just one of many reports of supernatural activity at Droop Mountain.

Visitors have recounted ghostly sightings and strange occurrences on the battlefield for over a century. Unsettling screams echo through the trees, the sounds of phantom gunfire and clashing steel carry on the wind, and the spirits of long-dead soldiers are seen wandering the hills. 

Often clad in full Civil War uniforms, these apparitions appear to march or stand guard as if still fulfilling their duties. Many witnesses claim to see these figures vanish without a trace when approached, leaving only an icy chill in their wake.

One particularly harrowing account came from a park ranger, who spotted what he assumed was a re-enactor dressed in period clothing while on patrol one evening. As he drew nearer, the figure abruptly disappeared before his eyes, leaving the ranger shaken and bewildered. This experience is not unique; many visitors report similar fleeting glimpses of the past.

An Eerie Presence

But the haunting of Droop Mountain is not limited to visual apparitions. The battlefield echoes with the sounds of battle long silenced. 

Gunfire, cannon blasts, and sword clashes are often heard when no one else is around. Some have reported hearing distant drums and bugle calls as if a ghostly army is still on the march. 

One visitor vividly recalled hearing the sharp bark of commands shouted by an unseen officer as though the battle had been ripped from history and replayed in the present.

Today, the battlefield is preserved as Droop Mountain Battlefield State Park, complete with a museum and guided tours.

In addition to these auditory hallucinations, visitors often experience sudden temperature drops or “cold spots,” particularly near the old trenches and fortifications that still scar the landscape. These areas exude an eerie presence as if the very ground remembers the bloodshed that took place.

During a nighttime ghost tour, paranormal investigators captured several instances of electronic voice phenomena (EVP), including faint, disembodied voices responding to their questions. 

Their equipment also recorded significant fluctuations in electromagnetic fields, further suggesting that the battlefield remains an active haunt for those seeking evidence of the supernatural.

Lingering Spirits

Droop Mountain Battlefield has become a destination for history enthusiasts and paranormal investigators. Its historical significance as the site of a critical Union victory is matched by its reputation as one of the most haunted places in the state. 

As the sun sets over the rolling hills, the past feels palpably close, and visitors are reminded that the horrors of war often leave behind more than just historical records—they leave ghosts.

Today, the battlefield is preserved as Droop Mountain Battlefield State Park, complete with a museum and guided tours. It serves as a sobering reminder of the cost of war and the lingering spirits of those who paid the ultimate price. 

Whether drawn by history or the promise of an otherworldly encounter, those who visit will leave with more than they expected. The echoes of battle may have faded, but the spirits of Droop Mountain are far from silent.