— by Dr. Andrew Nichols —
Executive Director, American Institute
of Parapsychology, author of Ghost Detective:
Adventures of a Parapsychologist
Military battles are among the most tragic and traumatizing of human events, and it is just such events that often result in the formation of a “haunted atmosphere.” The Battle of Gettysburg was certainly the bloodiest encounter of the American Civil War, and it is regarded as the turning point in the conflict that divided our nation. Thus, we should not be surprised that this battlefield in Pennsylvania has acquired a reputation for being one of the most haunted sites in the United States, if not the entire world.
Spiritualists believe that ghosts are earthbound spirits of dead people; that after death our spirits continue to exist in another dimension, but that some spirits—often in cases of sudden or violent death—become attached to a certain location where they can sometimes be seen, heard, or felt by certain people. Evidence suggests that this explanation is inadequate for many ghostly appearances. The majority of ghosts are almost certainly subjective; they have no objective reality outside the minds of those who experience them. Skeptics assert that all such experiences are hallucinations, dreams, or figments of the imagination, and that is the complete answer to the question of ghosts. Many reported apparitions can indeed be explained in this way, but it is not as simple as that.
The majority of parapsychologists, myself among them, believe that many ghosts are a type of telepathic image, created at some time during the past by a living mind during a period of extreme stress. Such a telepathic residue might remain for many years, available to anyone who is sufficiently endowed with the capacity for extrasensory perception (ESP). Research suggests that about 15 to 20 percent of the population is psychically sensitive enough to experience an apparition. This “psychic residue” theory is only that—a theory. As yet, it cannot be proved. It is a theory that could account for many ghosts, but certainly not all of them. However, it would also explain why most haunting apparitions seem to fade away after a number of years, as the telepathic image, like a depleted battery, gradually loses its “charge.”
The honest answer to the question “What are ghosts?” is that we don’t know. We do know that people experience ghosts. They can be seen, heard, or felt by certain people. Methodical, responsible, and honest ghost hunters can contribute much to our understanding of these mysterious phenomena, and with the help of dedicated researchers such as the authors of this book, I believe we will one day know what ghosts actually are and why they appear.
When I began my own investigations in the field of psychical research more than thirty-five years ago, ghost hunting was a pastime restricted to spiritualists, eccentrics, and a few isolated scholars. Today, a large number of serious, well-trained enthusiasts are actively engaged in the study of paranormal phenomena. My friend and colleague, Jack Roth, along with his co-author Patrick Burke, are among those who have established themselves as dedicated professional paranormal investigators.
I know Patrick through his fine reputation as a researcher and field investigator, and my friendship and professional relationship with Jack spans nearly two decades. Together, Jack and I have investigated numerous reports of hauntings over the years, and his dedication, enthusiasm, and insight have been a source of inspiration for me. I can think of no one better suited to present the Ghost Soldiers of Gettysburg.
With this book, the two authors have provided us with a substantial contribution to psychical research; a study of one of the most intriguing and controversial of paranormal events—the ancient enigma of haunted battlefields. Whether or not you are already a believer in ghosts—or consider yourself a skeptic—no doubt you will be fascinated by this vivid and engaging account of their explorations on the frontiers of scientific knowledge.