Alabama is renowned for its picturesque beaches, but one particular shoreline harbors a shadowy and ominous past. That beach is none other than Fort Morgan, an ancient masonry star fort that came into existence in 1819, serving as a pivotal military installation during numerous conflicts.
Fort Morgan has also gained notoriety as one of Alabama’s most haunted locations, with numerous accounts of eerie sightings and ghostly sounds linked to the soldiers, prisoners, and civilians who met their demise within its historic walls.
The History of Fort Morgan
Constructed to safeguard the entrance to Mobile Bay, a strategically important area for trade and defense, Fort Morgan bears the name of Revolutionary War hero Daniel Morgan and was designed by the French engineer Simon Bernard. Comprised of brick, stone, and mortar, the fort boasted a pentagonal layout, complete with bastions at each corner, and the capacity to house up to 600 soldiers along with 125 cannons.
Throughout its storied past, Fort Morgan played a pivotal role in multiple conflicts, including the War of 1812, the Mexican-American War, the Civil War, the Spanish-American War, World Wars I and II, and was the setting for numerous intense battles, sieges, bombardments, fires, explosions, and countless casualties. Some of its most significant historical events include:
- The Battle of Mobile Bay (1864): A historic naval clash during the Civil War, where Union Admiral David Farragut famously declared “Damn the torpedoes, full speed ahead!” as he led his fleet past Confederate defenses, securing Mobile Bay as a crucial supply base for the remainder of the war.
- The Yellow Fever Epidemic (1864): Following the Battle of Mobile Bay, Union troops stationed at Fort Morgan faced a devastating yellow fever outbreak, leading to the tragic loss of over 200 soldiers, who were interred in mass graves near the fort.
- The Explosion of the USS Tecumseh (1864): The USS Tecumseh, a Union ironclad monitor, met its demise after striking a Confederate torpedo (mine) near Fort Morgan. The explosion claimed the lives of 93 of the 114 crew members aboard, with some of their remains never recovered. The wreck remains on the seabed of Mobile Bay, serving as a war grave and protected site.
- The Execution of William O. Smith (1906): William O. Smith, a soldier stationed at Fort Morgan during the Spanish-American War, faced charges of murdering his wife and two children in Pensacola, Florida. Smith was returned to Fort Morgan for trial, found guilty, and executed by hanging on January 5, 1906, near the fort’s entrance. His execution marked the last hanging at Fort Morgan.
The Hauntings of Fort Morgan
Given its history steeped in tragedy, Fort Morgan is no stranger to supernatural phenomena. Some of the most frequently reported paranormal occurrences at the site include:
- The Apparitions of Soldiers: Many visitors have reported seeing ghostly figures dressed in various military uniforms from different eras strolling around the fort or appearing as sentinels at the bastions. Audible experiences range from phantom gunshots, cannon fire, and marching footsteps to spectral voices issuing orders. Some have even felt sudden drops in temperature, mysterious touches, or inexplicable tugs on their clothing.
- The Spirits of Prisoners: During the Civil War, Fort Morgan served as a grim prison for Confederate soldiers captured by the Union. These unfortunate prisoners were confined in dark, damp casemates beneath the fort, where they endured disease, starvation, and mistreatment. Some visitors have attested to hearing haunting moans, screams, or the eerie sound of chains rattling emanating from these casemates. Shadows and luminous orbs have also been glimpsed in these grim quarters.
- The Ghostly Residue of Civilians: Fort Morgan’s civilian population, living in houses and barracks near the fort, experienced a multitude of tragedies, be it through accidents, fires, or enemy attacks. Reports tell of apparitions, particularly women and children donned in period clothing, wandering within the fort’s confines or frolicking along the nearby beach. Ghostly laughter, music, and disembodied voices resonating from deserted structures have sent shivers down the spines of those who have ventured into this eerie atmosphere.
Conclusion
For history enthusiasts and avid ghost hunters alike, Fort Morgan stands as an enthralling destination. It opens a portal to Alabama’s past and its profound influence on the nation’s narrative. For those seeking a spine-tingling beachfront getaway in Alabama, Fort Morgan should certainly top the list. Just be prepared for the inexplicable sights and sounds that may greet you during your visit to this haunted beachside fortress.