The Yorktown Battlefield is one of the most significant locations in American history, as it was here in 1781 that the British army, led by General Cornwallis, surrendered to General George Washington, effectively ending the Revolutionary War. The site, now part of the Colonial National Historical Park, is a place of immense historical weight—but according to locals, it is also a place where the spirits of the past remain very much alive.

Visitors and park staff have reported numerous ghostly encounters over the years, including sightings of phantom soldiers, strange sounds such as disembodied drumming, and the eerie feeling of being watched. These reports have given the battlefield a reputation as one of Virginia’s most haunted locations.

Phantom Soldiers on the Battlefield

One of the most frequently reported sightings at Yorktown Battlefield is that of ghostly soldiers marching in formation, particularly near the earthworks that were used during the siege of Yorktown. Both American and British troops fought fiercely here, and the violence of the battle is said to have left a lasting imprint on the land. People walking along the Redoubts 9 and 10—key points in the American victory—have claimed to see soldiers in period uniforms, often out of the corner of their eye. These figures vanish when approached, leaving visitors unsure if they saw anything at all.

Full-bodied apparitions of soldiers have also been reported at night. Some visitors have described encountering a soldier standing in silence, dressed in a Revolutionary War-era uniform, before he suddenly disappears. The apparitions are often seen walking through the trees or across the open fields where so many men lost their lives during the battle. Many of these sightings occur in the early morning or late evening, when the battlefield is at its most quiet and atmospheric.

Disembodied Drumming and Gunfire

Another common paranormal phenomenon reported at Yorktown Battlefield involves the sound of phantom drumming. During the Revolutionary War, drummers played an important role in battle, relaying orders to troops and keeping morale high. Today, visitors often report hearing the faint sound of drumming in the distance, especially near the earthworks and trenches where soldiers would have positioned themselves.

In addition to the drumming, the sounds of muskets firing and cannon blasts have also been heard, particularly during quiet, foggy mornings when the air is still. Some visitors have reported hearing these sounds when no re-enactments or events were taking place, leading them to believe they were hearing echoes of the past. Though no physical evidence of these sounds exists, the reports have been consistent over the years, adding to the battlefield’s eerie reputation.

The Spectral Figure of a British Officer

Among the many ghostly figures said to haunt Yorktown, one of the most famous is the spirit of a British officer, believed by some to be General Charles O’Hara, who was forced to surrender on behalf of Cornwallis during the British defeat. According to legend, this officer’s spirit has been seen near the Moore House, the location where the terms of surrender were negotiated. Witnesses have reported seeing a tall man in a red coat, often described as appearing angry or sorrowful, walking near the house or along the edge of the battlefield before vanishing.

O’Hara was a central figure in the British defeat at Yorktown, and some believe his spirit lingers as a result of the humiliation he felt during the surrender. While there are no official accounts that identify the ghost as O’Hara specifically, the repeated sightings of a British officer in that area have led many to make the connection.

The Ghostly Surgeon and Hospital Site

One particularly chilling area of the battlefield is where the field hospitals were located during and after the siege. Both American and British forces suffered heavy casualties, and many wounded soldiers were treated—or died—on site. There have been numerous reports of unexplained cold spots and the feeling of being touched by unseen hands in these areas, particularly near the Second Siege Line and the Old Custom House.

One of the most well-known ghost stories tied to this part of the battlefield involves the spirit of a surgeon who is said to still tend to wounded soldiers long after the battle has ended. Witnesses have described seeing a man dressed in what appears to be 18th-century medical attire, walking through the field hospital area. He is often seen moving quickly, as if tending to his patients, but vanishes before anyone can get a closer look.

Visitors who walk these parts of the battlefield late at night or early in the morning often report an overwhelming sense of sorrow or dread, as if the pain and suffering experienced during the battle still lingers in the atmosphere. Some have described hearing the faint cries of soldiers in the wind, though no one is there.

Residual Hauntings and the Power of History

Many of the ghostly encounters reported at Yorktown Battlefield are considered to be residual hauntings, a type of paranormal activity where past events seem to “replay” without interaction with the living. The intense emotional energy of the battle, combined with the tragic loss of life on both sides, may have left a permanent mark on the land. Ghostly soldiers marching, sounds of drums and gunfire, and the apparitions of officers and medical personnel may all be echoes of the past, replaying as the energy of the battle remains embedded in the battlefield.

Paranormal investigators who have visited Yorktown Battlefield have documented cold spots, unexplained noises, and electronic voice phenomena (EVP) in areas where ghostly activity has been reported. While these findings remain inconclusive, the consistency of the stories over the years suggests that something beyond the ordinary may still be occurring on these historic grounds.

Conclusion

The Yorktown Battlefield, where one of the most decisive moments in American history took place, is also a place where the past seems to refuse to rest. The spirits of soldiers who fought and died for their cause—whether for American independence or for British rule—are said to linger, their ghostly forms seen marching through the fog and their voices heard on the wind. As we continue our journey through York County and James City County, the next section will take us to Colonial Williamsburg, where ghosts from the 18th century still walk the cobblestone streets of this preserved colonial town.