Army of the Dead
A South Carolina Ghost Story
retold by
S. E. Schlosser
A laundress, newly moved to Charleston following the Civil War, found herself awakened at the stroke of twelve each night by the rumble of heavy wheels passing in the street. But she lived on a dead end street, and had no explanation for the noise. Her husband would not allow her to look out the window when she heard the sounds, telling her to leave well enough alone. Finally, she asked the woman who washed at the tub next to hers. The woman said: "What you are hearing is the Army of the Dead. They are Confederate soldiers who died in hospital without knowing that the war was over. Each night, they rise from their graves and go to reinforce Lee in Virginia to strengthen the weakened Southern forces."
The next night, the laundress slipped out of bed to watch the Army of the Dead pass. She stood spell-bound by the window as a gray fog rolled passed. Within the fog, she could see the shapes of horses, and could hear gruff human voices and the rumble of canons being dragged through the street, followed by the sound of marching feet. Foot soldiers, horsemen, ambulances, wagons and canons passed before her eyes, all shrouded in gray. After what seemed like hours, she heard a far off bugle blast, and then silence.
When the laundress came out of her daze, she found one of her arms was paralyzed. She has never done a full days washing since.
You can read a longer version of this spooky South Carolina ghost story in Spooky South by S.E. Schlosser.
Comments? Email us at
Comments
scary enogh
Posted by: thomas | July 12, 2010 12:58 PM
Cool
Posted by: Lupita | July 13, 2010 04:02 PM
that was the best storie Ever!
Posted by: Binna | July 21, 2010 02:37 PM
Uh...this was not scary!
Posted by: Londria | July 24, 2010 09:03 AM
that was a good storie
Posted by: salvador vielma | July 26, 2010 05:49 PM
its really cool and entertaining
Posted by: Tori | July 27, 2010 10:22 AM
reallyyyyyyy
$cary
Posted by: steve | July 29, 2010 07:23 AM
it was good i liked
Posted by: Anonymous | July 31, 2010 06:45 PM
why is her arm paralyzed
Posted by: Anonymous | August 2, 2010 12:13 PM
not bad
Posted by: jeo | August 3, 2010 04:48 AM
pretty scary
Posted by: anna | August 4, 2010 08:29 PM
Why was her arm paralized?? i dont get it D:
Posted by: Desiree | August 6, 2010 01:31 PM
good story...not that scary though
Posted by: megan | August 10, 2010 01:20 PM
Erm it's very short. Not enough space for detail. Great though!
Posted by: meg | August 18, 2010 04:45 AM
this wasn`t very scary story. but a great historical ghost legend
Posted by: kels | August 19, 2010 05:49 PM
wow interesting, is there a clip??? Oh yeah, like why is her hand paralyzed???
Posted by: titi | August 19, 2010 09:05 PM
scary!!!
Posted by: aiman ulanday | August 25, 2010 06:48 PM
I dident get the end..why couldent she move her arm...????
Posted by: Abby | August 27, 2010 12:34 PM
that was so not scary
Posted by: Anonymous | August 28, 2010 12:26 PM
her arm was paralyzed from fear and i guess this was an ok story
Posted by: lunatrix | August 30, 2010 06:33 PM
niceeee
Posted by: Anonymous | September 1, 2010 11:30 AM
good story
Posted by: Anonymous | September 2, 2010 02:48 PM
borrrrring
Posted by: roxanne | September 5, 2010 09:23 AM
weird
Posted by: Anonymous | September 6, 2010 11:15 AM
on the computer i put this website on favorites
Posted by: Anonymous | September 6, 2010 11:28 AM
why was her arm paralyzed?!
Posted by: punkprincess | September 12, 2010 01:20 PM
what happened to her
Posted by: autumn | September 13, 2010 01:37 PM
i think it was boring
Posted by: Anonymous | September 16, 2010 10:23 AM
thats awsome dude
Posted by: Shock | September 16, 2010 12:39 PM
mannn tat was really scary
Posted by: twintekz | September 18, 2010 08:32 PM
it's nice but still needs a little of something
Posted by: mareve cumar | September 21, 2010 07:06 AM
I think her arm was paralyzed because she saw something that she was not supposed to see.
Posted by: Irene | September 21, 2010 02:04 PM
that was awsome
Posted by: Anonymous | September 21, 2010 02:35 PM
interesting :P
Posted by: anonymous | September 21, 2010 08:31 PM
it was OK.
Posted by: shriya | September 22, 2010 03:56 AM
I like it
Posted by: Azooz | September 22, 2010 10:32 AM
it wasnt scary but it could be
Posted by: Naomi | September 23, 2010 10:09 AM
i bout peed my pants
Posted by: david | September 23, 2010 12:01 PM
pretty scary sounds good
Posted by: adamk | September 27, 2010 08:30 PM
i liked it was scary in its own way
Posted by: mj | October 3, 2010 10:03 AM
her arm was paralyzed because she watched them
it says, "After what seemed like hours, she heard a far off bugle blast, and then silence."
the bugle blast. I think it's as if she was shot or something. so cause she watched them she cant wash anymore
and its an interesting story but could have been longer with more detail, not very scary
Posted by: holly | October 6, 2010 11:26 PM
wow some people really know how to tell a good story lol
Posted by: Alexis | October 7, 2010 10:42 AM
i had a similar experience in my home town of vanlear but my arms were not paralyzed.
Posted by: jeffery m lewis | October 8, 2010 02:44 PM
i dont get how her arm is paralyzed over seeing that dont get it but it was mint
Posted by: emily marchant | October 9, 2010 11:23 AM
i read this story at night and when my father came home and opened the door i scremed!!
Posted by: alexia | October 12, 2010 07:28 PM
oh my!! i was scared..
Posted by: venus | October 13, 2010 05:50 AM
cool loved it!!! :D
Posted by: ghost lover | October 13, 2010 09:27 AM
it was a little scary but i like really scary
Posted by: Alice | October 14, 2010 01:15 PM
it was good. i think her arm was paralized because of a ghost cannonball hitting her.
Posted by: kathryn | October 14, 2010 08:49 PM
spooky
Posted by: aj | October 18, 2010 09:57 AM
Intersting especially when your from the state it is from:)
Posted by: damon | October 20, 2010 04:31 PM
it was not that scary but it was nice
Posted by: Anonymous | October 21, 2010 09:52 AM
omg that is so scary u did gud
Posted by: keshuna | October 21, 2010 10:54 AM
i looooooooooove this story it was so scarey
Posted by: alli | October 21, 2010 05:00 PM
i thought it was good....i really like it!!!
Posted by: Anonymous | October 22, 2010 05:27 AM
good storie
Posted by: carlos | October 22, 2010 08:39 AM
it is to scarry
Posted by: Anonymous | October 22, 2010 10:33 AM
love the Confederate soldiers coming out of the grave at night part
Posted by: Kate | October 22, 2010 11:40 AM
that was a good story
Posted by: dasja | October 22, 2010 03:31 PM
Not Scary at all!But it was a good storie.
Posted by: ghostly rules | October 23, 2010 12:03 PM
i dont get it, why was her arm paralyzed?
Posted by: kayla crescent | October 24, 2010 01:53 PM
IS THis Really A True Story ? Please Tell Me !!! I REally wanted To Know ! And THanks for the story
Posted by: I LOve Peyton | October 24, 2010 04:31 PM
it was a little be scared <3
Posted by: yazmin | October 25, 2010 07:57 AM
It's an ok story, but not very scary.
Posted by: Anonymous | October 25, 2010 12:25 PM
that was a great story!!! i wonder y her arm was paralyzed
Posted by: dakota | October 25, 2010 06:03 PM
Ummm.. cool i just don't get the end. :? Why is her arm paralyzed.... not scary but is was really good.
Posted by: andy | October 26, 2010 03:38 PM
that was so not scary it needs to sound real and it needs to make people sleep with one eye open at night
Posted by: emma | October 27, 2010 01:02 AM
Very good story...not that scary though,needs more detail why was her arm parilyzed?
Posted by: Anonymous | October 28, 2010 04:38 PM
It was ok it but it was short. Her arm was paralyzed because of the blast.
Posted by: Felipe | October 28, 2010 05:53 PM
Is this a ghost story?????
Posted by: Girija | October 28, 2010 07:39 PM
kinda coolbut short
Posted by: joto | October 29, 2010 06:32 AM
it was very intertaning i liked it
Posted by: Anonymous | October 29, 2010 01:01 PM
scary but not that scarey!
Posted by: synthie | October 29, 2010 09:27 PM
hi this in my opinion was not scary but i DONT care it was still a story and btw
tomorrows halloween! !!!!!!!! ahhhhhhh
Posted by: friends | October 30, 2010 07:43 AM
this is a good story but not really scary&y is her arm parallized [did i spell dat right]
Posted by: paris | October 31, 2010 10:49 AM
thaat was boring.
Posted by: Anonymous | October 31, 2010 10:30 PM
That was ok, but kinda dumb. I mean, why was her arm paryalazed? Sorry if that's spelled wrong.
Posted by: Claire Marie | November 3, 2010 05:46 PM
The story doesdn't end like that
Posted by: corbin brown | November 4, 2010 07:48 PM
spooky storie almost screamed
Posted by: shawntay | November 8, 2010 09:14 AM
Good ana Cool Story
Posted by: mohamed kasrawy | November 10, 2010 12:07 PM
well it was awsome!!!
Posted by: Richard | November 12, 2010 11:20 AM
Yeah, this is a good one.
I read the original in "The Doctor to the Dead."
Which also has many other stories like this and then some.
Posted by: Jason | November 17, 2010 10:51 PM
scary
Posted by: pakou | November 19, 2010 12:18 PM
The part about her arms being paralyzed was kinda scary cause it was mysterious but the rest wasn't but it would have been if it had more detail.
Posted by: maliha | November 23, 2010 08:05 PM
Wow wierd
Posted by: Anonymous | November 25, 2010 02:55 PM
I dont really get it... I mean it was a great storie and all but I didnt think it was that scary. But my cousin is under her bed crying.
Posted by: Anonymous | November 27, 2010 04:50 PM
i like your stories
Posted by: jamesha | December 14, 2010 10:59 AM
that was so cool I thout my brother was a goast wants I was asleep and I heard a big BANG BANG BANG and I woke up and screamed
Posted by: cloe | December 15, 2010 05:00 PM
Really good story,
I like it.
Posted by: nhan | December 19, 2010 12:43 AM
You know how some soldiers come back from the war with damage to them, sometimes paralyzed? Especially bodyparts that they need for work back home...it's kind of like that, I think...:) Just a guess. Good story.
Posted by: Julie | December 22, 2010 04:36 PM
good story, NOT BORRRRRING like that other person said. if u know anything about the paranormal, u would know what was wrong with her arm. u get me.
Posted by: deeck | December 29, 2010 10:47 PM
I think it is a very good story.
Posted by: Clarissa | January 1, 2011 11:43 PM
not scary but good
Posted by: asa | January 2, 2011 04:21 AM
it wasnt scary but i like it
Posted by: Allie | January 8, 2011 02:22 PM
not scary.
Posted by: Anonymous | January 17, 2011 10:11 AM
very different not scary:]
Posted by: peps | January 17, 2011 03:11 PM
I think its pretty good.Not to scary to tell my little brothers and sister
Posted by: Jesica | January 18, 2011 07:44 PM
it's a good history... I was scared.....
Posted by: wong | January 19, 2011 08:28 PM
freeky!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: seren | January 22, 2011 10:56 AM
cool
Posted by: Anonymous | January 24, 2011 02:32 PM
good but not scary whatsoever
Posted by: sean | January 25, 2011 01:11 PM
thatz a scary book.
Posted by: myriah | January 27, 2011 02:17 PM
needs more detals ok pleas right a new one and put more detals
Posted by: tommy | January 30, 2011 03:46 PM
It was Ok not scary, but well written
Posted by: Gracie | January 31, 2011 12:01 PM
it was ok but it wasnt that scary but i liked it
Posted by: Tayla | January 31, 2011 12:34 PM
The story was not that bad.
Posted by: Anonymous | February 2, 2011 05:29 PM
nice like the end
Posted by: Anonymous | February 5, 2011 09:53 PM
not scary
Posted by: Anonymous | February 8, 2011 05:37 PM
Scarrrryyyyy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: Anonymous | February 8, 2011 11:40 PM
i loved it
Posted by: tammy | February 9, 2011 01:56 PM
This story is interesting but its not scary. It would be scarier if she got possessed.
Posted by: Jason | February 9, 2011 10:22 PM
more details more details
Posted by: madison | February 12, 2011 05:22 PM
i carnt belive i read that.
it was realy scary.
Posted by: paige | February 15, 2011 07:42 AM
good but could be longer
:>
Posted by: Anonymous | February 15, 2011 08:05 PM
nice story
Posted by: leticia leon | February 16, 2011 10:59 AM
not scary im 12 and that is not scary!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: kimberly | February 16, 2011 06:52 PM
nice
Posted by: Anonymous | February 17, 2011 08:09 AM
COOLLLLL
Posted by: Anonymous | February 17, 2011 12:09 PM
Not very scary
Posted by: Naomi | February 18, 2011 05:21 PM
so funny
Posted by: bob | February 21, 2011 04:05 PM
creepy and weird
Posted by: Anonymous | February 21, 2011 08:42 PM
make more like this
Posted by: big dog | February 22, 2011 08:09 AM
lol this one is funny
Posted by: ozzy | February 23, 2011 10:37 PM
this makes NO sense at all, what does an arm have to do with the army of the dead!?!?
Posted by: WE R BEAST | March 4, 2011 02:04 PM
I have the book to this story. Its way different.
Posted by: Kayley | March 5, 2011 03:10 PM
i love it
not bad......
^_^
Posted by: princess | March 8, 2011 01:27 AM
WOW!NOT THAT SCARY,LIKED IT BUT NOT THAT SCARY.
Posted by: CAITLYN AND MAKENZIE | March 16, 2011 05:22 PM
awesome story
Posted by: Anonymous | March 18, 2011 05:17 PM
Her arm is paralyzed because they shot her with the cannon, but since they were ghosts they couldn't blow the arm off.
Posted by: Emily Parks | March 23, 2011 02:53 PM
scary and awsome
Posted by: Anonymous | March 28, 2011 04:56 PM
cool i want more!
Posted by: Anonymous | April 2, 2011 04:20 PM
not scary more like sad
Posted by: Anonymous | May 21, 2011 11:01 AM
Thats so creapy its really cool
Posted by: musiclover9085 | June 7, 2011 09:30 AM
wow its so fun spooky how she heard them
Posted by: lynna | June 10, 2011 12:45 AM
wow its weird and scary but why was her arm paralized? someone tell me!!
Posted by: evie | June 21, 2011 12:30 PM
weird
Posted by: Anonymous | June 28, 2011 09:50 PM
I frequently read the scary stories,and this one is the best!
Posted by: Mickle Tommy | July 17, 2011 11:38 PM
ok...but not that scary.
Posted by: kathryn | July 19, 2011 10:21 AM
I loved it and how could she hear the wagons,horses and the men there ghosts they float they don't walk on the ground.
Posted by: Anonymous | July 20, 2011 11:28 PM
Kinda different. Like the historical factor.
Posted by: Tyler | July 25, 2011 05:37 PM
i dont think its scary its more sad
Posted by: emily | July 26, 2011 10:50 AM
Her husband was correct, sometimes it is best to all whom it may or may not concern to leave well enough alone.
Posted by: Kirsten | July 28, 2011 12:27 AM
We have all learned a lesson here, it is better to leave well enough alone than feed your curiousity unless it is worth it to you that once your curiousity is satisfied you will have life changes so!
Posted by: Kirsten | August 7, 2011 01:54 PM
but y did the ghost shot her?????????????
Posted by: sakshi | August 9, 2011 03:31 AM
that was not as scary as i hoped
Posted by: mr canada | August 11, 2011 10:23 AM
i loved it it was amazing
Posted by: Anonymous | August 15, 2011 08:55 AM
not scary more like sad
Posted by: rishi srivastav | August 16, 2011 02:38 PM
more sad than scary... but i love it :) and it was very entertaining. the history was great too ;)
Posted by: renee mohan | October 31, 2011 09:53 AM