Isabella Mueller Baroness of Stainton le Vale
On the old bastion of the Wesel citadel stood an old, weathered gravestone, long dedicated to the memory of the former commander of the fortress, Lieutenant General von Romberg. He had chosen this lonely but soldierly grave himself. The inscription on the stone read: “In this bastion rests Baron Johann Moritz Friedrich Wilhelm von Romberg, Cologne. Prussian Lieutenant General, commander of the Wesel fortress 1789–1792, born on November 12, 1724, in Brünninghausen Castle, County of Mark, died on January 25, 1792, in Wesel.” This inscription and the gravestone evoke a vivid memory:
General von Romberg took great pleasure in dressing up as a ghost in the dark hours of the night and going out to test the courage of the guards posted at the bastions. His eerie appearance had frightened many guards, causing them to fear the notorious places with growing dread. The general enjoyed their fear and took pleasure in the timidity of his soldiers.
On one fateful night, his own son volunteered for guard duty, determined to face the ghostly threat. As he stood guard on the bastion, the eerie figure reappeared. Fearlessly, the young man demanded that the ghost identify himself. When his calls went unheeded, he defiantly raised his weapon and shot at the ghost. With a bloodcurdling scream, the figure sank to the ground. To his horror, the young officer realized that he had shot none other than his own father. The tragic incident led to the commander’s final resting place being established at the very spot where he had fallen.
But that’s not the end of the story. Locals whisper of strange events and ghostly apparitions that have occurred repeatedly ever since. It is said that on foggy nights, the restless spirit of General von Romberg roams the bastion, forever seeking redemption for his fatal mistake. The wind seems to carry the echo of his pain-filled cries, and those who dare to go there after dark report an overwhelming feeling of fear that grips their hearts.
Witnesses report seeing a ghostly figure in the uniform of a Prussian officer, his face contorted in eternal agony, reenacting the final moments before his untimely death. Some claim that the ghost approaches them, his eyes pleading for absolution that cannot be granted.
A particularly frightening story comes from three adventurers who decided to investigate the haunted site. Equipped with modern technology—cameras, voice recorders, and electromagnetic field detectors—they ventured to the gravestone under cover of darkness. Hours passed without incident until their devices suddenly malfunctioned. The temperature dropped rapidly, and thick fog enveloped them, reducing visibility to a few inches.
Suddenly, a disembodied voice echoed through the air, reciting the solemn inscription: “In this bastion rests Baron Johann Moritz Friedrich Wilhelm von Romberg…” Stunned and filled with fear, they sensed an oppressive presence approaching them. One of them swore that he saw a shadowy figure approaching, its ghostly features illuminated by a faint, otherworldly light. The figure seemed to reach out a hand, as if asking for something, before vanishing into thin air.
This experience deeply shook the adventurers, and their reports contributed to the growing legend of the haunted fortress. Each retelling reinforces the belief that General von Romberg’s spirit is trapped in a relentless loop, his soul burdened by the weight of his deeds and the tragic consequences they brought.
Scientists who study paranormal activity suspect that the general’s ghost is a manifestation of “residual energy,” a theory that suggests the intense emotions associated with his death have imprinted themselves on the environment. This would explain why the sightings are often repetitive and follow the same sequence—the ghost is more of a replay of past events than an interactive being.
Over the years, the mystique surrounding the haunted site has grown stronger. Local folklore has increasingly intertwined with documented history, creating a web of fear and fascination. General von Romberg’s tombstone stands as a silent sentinel, a reminder of how thin the veil is that separates the living from the dead.
Those brave enough to visit the bastion do so with trepidation, aware that they may encounter the restless spirit of a once-great soldier who enjoyed testing the courage of others during his lifetime, but who now, after his death, finds himself facing the ultimate test. The ghost of General von Romberg is a powerful reminder of how our actions can resonate through time, leaving echoes that transcend the boundaries of mortality.
