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Despite the fact that the American Civil War only lasted four years, (1861-1865) there were many violent deaths associated with it. These violent deaths combine with emotional trauma faced by many during the time of war to culminate into a menagerie of supernatural occurrences. It is for this very reason that ghosts haunt America – be it in Tennessee, Virginia, or  more – to this very day. A few of these ghosts can be found in Christopher K Coleman's interesting book, Ghosts and Haunts of the Civil War. The ghosts in Coleman's book range from Smoot – a simplistic farmer – to the anonymous Shiloh drummer boy, and from the infamous John Brown to the ghosts of the 69th Irish group in Antietem.

If you've decided to read more: be aware that this is not going to contain all of the ghosts from this book. Rather, I encourage you to purchase this marvellous book on your own to read and enjoy! However, we will review the restless spirit known as "Smoot".


Anyhow, onto the topic! If one goes to the historic Oakland Farms property in Tennessee today they won't find dead Confederate or Union bodies strewn about; no, they will find a seemingly peaceful countryside estate. On certain nights, however, it is rumoured that one should see a light moving – in a manner often described as being akin to the swaying of a lantern – about the estate. Lights flicker as well. If one finds themselves around the pig pen, they will supposedly be able to hear odd sounds – supposedly the cries of a long-dead Smoot.

So who was Smoot? Smoot was a simple farmer trying to scrape by during the war. One week he reportedly missed the market. However, seeing as he was somewhat antisocial, many of his peers dismissed the absence. After several weeks, though, they became suspicious; they investigated by taking a merry little walk up to Smoot's house (okay, maybe not merry... but you get my point). According to legend they found the remains of Smoot's defiled body in the pigs feed. (The pigs must've enjoyed it, though, because legend also says that the pigs were acting quite funny.) No one knows what happened to poor ol' Smoot; but, we do know that – despite attempts to bury him – Smoot's decided to settle down in the immortal realm for a while. A long while.