Duff Green Mansion, circa 1856, is considered to be one of the finest examples of Palladian architecture in the state of Mississippi. Nestled in a quaint section of the Vicksburg historical district, the three story mansion is resplendent with a grand staircase and exquisite wrought-iron fenced porch. The interior is just as striking with its high ceilings, ornate molding, pocket doors, richly painted walls, and antique furniture. We were greeted by the owner Harry Sharp, a Confederate history buff and fifth cousin of Robert E. Lee. The gracious Mr. Sharp showed us around the mansion, enlightened us to some of the history, and gave us a free reign to conduct our investigation.

History   The mansion, built in 1856 by wealthy cotton broker Duff Green almost met certain destruction during the Civil War’s Siege on Vicksburg. Cannon balls repeatedly shot through the upper floors of the mansion prompting Duff and Mary Green to raise a yellow flag from the roof in order to save their home. The mansion, having been converted to a military hospital, served both Confederate and Union soldiers. Being partial to the Confederates, they would place the injured Union soldiers on the third floor. By doing so, if they happened to be fired upon, the Confederate casualties would be fewer. After the war, it was used as a home for displaced soldiers until the late 1860s. The Greens sold it to the Peatross family in 1880. It was used as an orphanage and nursing home until the Salvation Army purchased it for $3,000 in 1931. They used it as their local headquarters for more than 50 years then sold it to the Sharps in 1985, who have returned it to its former splendor.

Haunted History   Many stories are told about Duff Green Mansion. These are just some of the highlights. It is said there are four known ghosts.

Mary Green is believed to be a happy spirit It has been reported that those being visited feel a cool breeze when she walks by.

The Greens daughter is also believed to be a happy spirit. There are reports of childlike footsteps and a bouncing ball on the staircase.

A Confederate soldier sits by the fireplace in the corner of the Dixie Room, a room in the old kitchen area of the house that functioned as an operating room. Hospital records indicate that amputated arms and legs were piled almost to the kitchen ceiling. Most of the paranormal activity occurs in this room

Another soldier who died while waiting to be taken to the operating room has been reported. His blood stains are still visible on the main hall floor of the second floor.

Our Findings Date Saturday, October 6, 2002, time 6:30 p.m., outdoor temperature 75°, indoor average temperature 73°, humidity 96%, moon waning crescent, solar x-rays active and the geomagnetic field storm. Before beginning the actual investigation we wandered the first and second floors, taking several digital pictures just to document the rooms, placement of furnishings, lighting, and windows. We took EMF readings for comparison with the investigation. We noted where electrical appliances, light switches, outlets and wiring were located. 

We took our equipment back to our room and the strangest thing happened. We lay our equipment on the bench at the foot of the bed and within just a few minutes the EMF meter began to register. You may wonder what’s so strange about that, well if the button on the side of the Gauss Master is depressed it will generate a reading. Once the button is released, the meter powers off. We immediately used the thermal scanner to record the temperature in that area and we found the temperature was 68° where the rest of the room was 72° to 73°. We took several photos of the room and the area at the foot of the bed in particular. Our photos produced one orb. 

Since we had several hours before we would begin our investigation, we drove around the historical district, ate dinner and made an impromptu after hours visit to the Old Court House Museum, located just a few blocks from the Mansion (that’s another story). 

Time 11:00 p.m., outdoor temperature 68°, indoor average temperature 73°, humidity 95%, moon waning crescent, solar x-rays active and the geomagnetic field storm. We turned off all but three lights (a table lamp in the library and a portrait light in the entry hall and a portrait light in the ballroom) on the second floor. We closed the doors to the ballroom so that the only light present was the small portrait light. We took EMF and temperature readings which were consistent with readings taken earlier in the evening. We set up our Sony night shot video camera in the corner of the ballroom and I monitored it. After a few minutes of viewing the night shot, Marlene took a few pictures, and continued to record periodic EMF and temperature readings. 

About 20 minutes into the investigation, I felt a cold chill along my right thigh. It was as if someone had moved along side me and stayed there. Marlene turned the night shot around to face me then ran the thermal scanner along my right side. Temperatures from hip to shoulder and knee to toe were between 81° and 83°, while the area where I felt the cold was 67°. Marlene checked the area around me with the EMF and the reading remained almost null until she reached the cool area where it registered a four. The chill departed as quickly as it came. Monitoring the night shot, there appeared to be a light glow on the wall next to where I had been standing. We monitored that area and the readings were higher in that spot than anywhere else in the room. Trying to rule out possibilities, we turned off the small portrait light in case the glow had actually been glare from the light, but the glow was still there. After what seemed like only a minute or two the glow disappeared. A couple minutes later, we heard footsteps at the door of the ballroom. Marlene checked and know one was there. It was odd though, we had the strangest feeling that someone was there with us. We stayed in the ballroom for a while longer but did not encounter another experience. 

We moved to the library and set up our night shot so that we could see into the dining room and entry hall. Again, we took the usual readings but did not experience anything out of the ordinary nor did our pictures show any activity.  After a couple hours on the second floor, we decided to investigate the first floor.  As we were walking to the staircase we took several pictures of the main entry hall focusing mainly on the tables and painting.  Over eighty percent of those photos display orbs.

Next we set up our equipment in the common room. The room had subdued lighting and we turned off all but one portrait light. We followed the same  procedures as we had done upstairs but our investigation did not yield any results other than an orb or two in photos. 

An hour later, wore out from the days events, we retired to our room.  After resting no more than 10 minutes, Marlene said it felt as though someone were massaging her feet and she felt the presence of someone beside her. Having camera in hand, I immediately took several pictures in quick succession.  It was then that we noticed the keypad on the cell phone was lit. If you’re familiar with cell phones, they don’t just light up, or at least ours don't. Only when a button is pushed will the light activate. All of a sudden the light went out and we commented on the oddity.  A couple minutes later it happened again, staying lit a bit longer than before, then it was out again. Marlene moved the night shot into position and we took a few more pictures. Just as we settled back down, we heard a sound , sort of like a ratchet, and saw a stationery shadow at the bottom gap of our door. Marlene jumped out of bed and ran to the door but no one was there. Jazzed by what had happened, we took more readings and the EMF was in the 8-9 level. All in all, it was a very interesting evening.

 Unfortunately, with such busy schedules, we have not yet had the opportunity to review all the video and EVP tapes. We’ll post our findings as soon as we do. 

What do we think? Well, we know there was definitely some sort of unnatural activity in both our room and the ballroom.  Do we believe it was spirit activity?  Do you?  Not sure?  Visit the Duff Green Mansion and see for yourself.  It is our belief, that if we go into an investigation we an open mind, the spirits will be more open to us and people who aren't there for any reason other than a good nights sleep are less likely to experience any phenomena.  

Even if you don't experience anything paranormal, you can at least  say you experienced Vicksburg.  You'll be glad you did.

Report submitted by April Stokes

View of the Duff Green Mansion	Entry to second floor main entry
Another view of Mansion with several orbs	Main entry hall on second floor, see what we mean...breathtaking
Orb next to painting	Small orb in mirror, do orbs have reflections or was it actually in front of the mirror?
Orb on hall table	Orb on chandelier, on wall to left of painting and one in front of the table
Large orb in front of column in the ballroon	Four orbs, one in the corner and three on the ceiling near door
Three orbs, one below the chandelier, one above and to the right and one above and to the right again	Orb in front of wardrobe in the Magnolia Room, this picture was taken because Marlene felt a presence there
Common room on first floor, orb above secretary, orb over door on right	Our room, the Camellia Room, taken right after Marlene had felt her feet being massaged, small orb above the cell phone and one on the wardrobe
Taken after we noticed the cell phone keypad was lit up, eight orbs to the right of lamp	Large orb over half-tester bed with several around the dresser
Orb in chair and one right side of gazebo	Photo taken of a photo of the Mansion during its period as a Soldiers Home
This and the next picture show how the mansion would have looked in its glory days