Zak Bagans, Nick Groff and Aaron Goodwin took us to the scene of a bloody battle field during the Civil War. Two former homes used as field hospitals were where hundreds of men lots their lives; Dye House and HP Bottom House. Even now, as a reenactment fills the screen we are told about the horrors the men went through, the actors making it all too real. Cannon fire was lighting up the screen and men in uniforms were yelling and screaming.
The Ghost Adventures crew have been in the area before, in September 2011 was the first time they investigated one of the battle areas. They knew there was more they could gather, so they returned. The two houses they would be investigating were actually in the dead center of the battle. At HP Bottom House we were introduced to Kurt Homan, from the Historical Society. This house was furnished like a museum. He explained that the house and front yard were at times completely packed with soldiers. He said that the house still showed the signs of battle and held many bullet holes. As they did the walk through, he pulled a door from under a bed. This door had been the original door during the battle and had been used as a surgery table. Not only did it sport bullet holes, but it had blood stains on it. One could actually see the outline of a head where some poor man had lain. Zak said that the homes are like time capsules. He explained that stone and wood “soak up” spirit and blood and spirits or residual spirit activity is often trapped in them.
During the walk through at the Dye House, Kurt told us that someone he knew had seen something green in the house but was so shaken by his experience, he hadn’t told Kurt for 4-5 years after it happened. Zak wore a mask as this house was completely abandoned and rumored to be contaminated with black mold. Zak has respiratory issues. The floors were stained with blood and this house also had bullet holes.
We were then introduced to Lee and Jennifer Kirkland who talked about a picture they had seen, taken on the site. It clearly showed a ghostly image of a man in the uniform of the civil war era on the photo. A voice had been captured at the site and was played for us, saying, “Who’s up here” and then, “Hide, they’re here!” Outside, Jeff Waldredge, an investigator, an official investigator, had heard boots on the upper level. And on some occasions, he said when he would arrive, he just got the feeling he shouldn’t be there, so out of respect for the spirits of the soldiers, he would then leave.
Zak decided to do something that had never been done at the site before; test with luminal. This is a substance that when sprayed on surfaces and exposed to black light will glow pink if there is blood present. To no ones real surprise, the place was covered with it and Aaron said to their naked eyes, much more could be seen than was showing on camera. Zak said that he wondered if blood stains from 150 years ago could show up, what else is trapped in that house? Almost time for the lock down, but before they did that, they had arranged for a civil war battle scene to be reenacted. Men in uniform were everywhere, inside and out. Some playing doctors were trying to help with the limited medical knowledge and equipment at the time and many were crying or moaning with injuries. The GAC felt that doing this 1862 reenactment first, would draw out or get the attention of any ghosts that may be present.
Jay and Billy were watching the camera’s views from the nerve center while Zak, Nick and Aaron began their EVP session. I one room they felt a lot of energy and Zak began asking questions. Suddenly, we heard a male voice, quite strong, saying, “I’m sorry for…” then, “yes”. Aaron had just asked if something had happened to him here. Then Zak asked “What is your name?” “Daniel” came through loud and clear. When asked his last name by Zak, we heard, “Mcilwaine” complete with southern accent. Zak asked him if he was a soldier for the North or South and his reply was, “I don’t know”. This was explained later by Kurt, who said that the state this spirit was in was like being half away and he may not remember which side he was on. Zak explained to whatever spirits may have been listening that they didn’t do the reenactment to cause them anymore pain, but only to get their attention. Zak told them that the war is over and they were free to leave this place. Honestly, I almost cried at Zak’s compassion at that point. In all their investigations, they hardly ever try to help the spirits, if that’s what they are, but they usually only try to talk to them or film them. Then Zak said he wondered if every actor had his soul touched that day by their experience at the battle field.
After this interaction, nothing more was captured except boot steps. Nick and Aaron didn’t get anything at the Dye house in three hours and Zak wondered if the spirit of Daniel had followed him to the Bottom house. Bill and Zak were at the Bottom house and Billy was watching the thermal camera but nothing was seen. The last EVP that was heard was strangely, a woman’s voice saying, “come to Mommy”. This was probably residual, the voice of a lady who had been watching a little girl for her mother while staying there. Suddenly, Zak heard a loud noise and rushed to the direction from which it came. The Ovilous device had been ripped in half and part was still on a table while the other half was on the floor. This had been Velcroed together by Billy before the lockdown and also had a wire connecting them together. They were stunned!
This was an exciting ending to what seemed like a short season. But then, when the cast is good, the season is never long enough! Well done, all.