On September 17, 1862, the Battle of Antietam raged near the small town of Sharpsburg, Maryland. More than 23,000 men were killed, wounded, or missing in action during the four-hour battle, making Antietam the bloodiest single-day battle in American history. Given its tragic history, is it any wonder soldiers’ ghosts reportedly haunt the former battlefield?

Now, visitors at Antietam National Battlefield report smelling gun powder and seeing men in Confederate uniforms. At first, visitors assume they’re witnessing a reenactment. That is, until the uniformed men abruptly disappear. Other eerie events include blue balls of light that zip around and wink out and the faint sounds of drums beating in the distance.  An area known as “Bloody Lane” is particularly active.

Today, marks the 155th anniversary of the Battle of Antietam. Do you think slain soldiers still haunt the area?