Haunting In Atlanta's Cemeteries

On its way to becoming a thriving place, the city of Atlanta, Georgia has undergone many changes. During the 1700s the city of Atlanta, known as Terminus at the time, was occupied by the Cherokees. In the mid 1800s a railroad had been built, bringing with it a new population to take over the city. Tensions were formed between the Cherokees and new white men. The white men were determined to drive them from their homeland. Terminus became Atlanta in 1845 and after Georgia seceded from the Union to join forces with the Confederacy, the city became a major Confederate military post because of its large quantity of railroads linking the southern states. The Union realized they had to destroy Atlanta to win the war. During the summer of 1864 the city continued to be attacked by the Union. On September 2, 1864 a white flag was raised, officially surrendering Atlanta to the Union. Federal troops quickly took control of the city, forcing people from their homes. Before departing in November, Federals torched the entire city. Nothing remained standing. Today, the city's many ghosts are reminders of Atlanta's terrible past. Civil War spirits are said to roam the streets, homes, public buildings, and cemeteries. Oakland Cemetery is one of the most popular seen. Some trees used to hang Ferderal raiders can be seen from the lawn. From the limb of these trees, a man's body, dressed in blue, has been seen dangling from these trees. " The witnesses who have seen Atlanta's Civil War ghosts come in all ages. People who have lived a century apart relate similar haunting tales. Perhaps one hundred years from now, others will be telling the same supernatural stoies of Atlanta's turbulent past."
As I was reading this story, at first I found it hard to believe that ghosts could truely "haunt" the city of Atlanta. But the author listed many reasons that made it hard to say no. He had me convinced that ghosts really are real and not all are bad. The ghosts of Atlanta are said to just be roaming the streets of the city or sometimes even the houses, but have never been said to do any harm to any of the witnesses. I enjoy reading about ghosts and whether or not they are real or not and hopefully one day I will be able to experience the freaky but true supernatural life of the ghosts of Atlanta's past.


Behrend, Jackie. "Hauntings in Atlanta's Cemeteries." Ghosts of America's East Coast. 2001.
Jackie Behrend. Canada: Crane Hill Publishers, 2001. 120-123. Personal Interview.