The Ghost Soldiers of Harper's Ferry Story

Later that night, any scout that left their boots unsecured (i.e. without a rock on/in them) could have their shoes "taken by the ghosts".

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The Ghost Soldiers of Harper's Ferry
(or any place you choose)

You scouts ever notice how your boots feel just a little heavier here at Harper's Ferry? Maybe you chalk it up to the long hikes, or maybe you think it's just the mud. But there's another reason... a darker one.

A long time ago, during the Civil War, a ragged group of Union soldiers passed through these hills. Their mission was to secure the shoes being produced at Harper's Ferry for their brothers at arms. See, as much as any gun, soldiers needed boots to fight. Unfortunately, these soldiers were worn down, starving, and half-mad with exhaustion, they were on a desperate march to get to and reinforce Harper's Ferry. Their own boots were falling apart-most had none left at all. Every step over the rocky trails cut their feet to ribbons. But they pressed on, driven by duty.

They never made it. Somewhere in these woods, on the way to Harper's Ferry they vanished. Some say it was a Confederate ambush. Others whisper of sickness or starvation. Yet others figure it was a large purple gorilla. But whatever happened, no one ever found their bodies... just the prints of bare, bloody feet, wandering in circles.

Now here's the part that matters for you tonight.

Every so often, campers report waking up to a cold wind and strange sounds - soft footsteps, like someone creeping from tent to tent. When they check in the morning, their boots are gone. Not stolen. Taken. And always the same kind of prints left behind... bare, worn, and bloody. The ghosts are still looking for boots strong enough to carry them the rest of the way.

Locals say there's only one way to keep your boots safe: leave a rock in them. Not a pebble - a good, heavy stone. The ghost soldiers can't lift them then. It's like a signal: These boots are claimed. These boots belong to the living.

So tonight, before you zip your sleeping bags, make sure you find yourself a rock. Put one in each boot. You might feel silly - but hey, better that than limping barefoot out of your tent in the morning, wondering if your shoes are halfway to Harper's Ferry.

And if you do forget the rocks... well, we might just see your boots walking on their own in the morning mist.

Sweet dreams scouts!