Scouting out new spots we decided to try out one of the famous Civil War battlefields in the state. Mark's Mill located in the south central part of the state was a good choice. It was one of three battles connected with the Red River Campagin. A particularly bloody battle, both sides accused the other of atrocities. The Mark home itself would become a makeshift battlefield hospital during that battle. Purportedly one soldier was shot right off the porch. There are reports on several civil war sites that indicate when freedmen and black Union soldiers tried to surrender many were shot without accepting their surrender. Others report that despite a policy to the contrary Union soldiers along the way were plundering the locals taking family valuables, food and clothing.

BACKGROUND

On , April 25, 1864 Confederate Troops under General Shelby were attempting to destroy a large Union wagon supply train cutting off the supply of food and armaments to General Steele's troops in Camden. The battle ended as a Confederate victory as the majority of the two hundred and forty supply wagons were destroyed/captured and extremely heavy Union casualties of around 1500 soldiers were inflicted. Large numbers of Union prisoners were also marched to Camp Ford in Texas where death from disease was rampant.

We concentrated on the Markss Mill Cemetery, Mark's homestead, Salty Branch and Unknown Soldiers memorial for these investigations.

ACTIVITIES REPORTED

Cold spots and apparitions of soldiers sighted.

OBSERVATIONS/PERSONAL EXPERIENCES:

During the May investigation while at the homestead site we experienced a 5 degree drop in temperature in the matter of a few minutes, then the temperature would fluctuate up and down throughout our stay in that spot. This was monitored and observed on the thermocoupler display.

NOTES AND VALIDATIONS:

Several coldspots encountered including the homestead area and a day time one on a trail to Moro Bay during the June trip. Investigators did not expect to capture a lot of activity especially in the daytime but were pleased to find that EVPs had been captured during the June trip as we went through the woods to check out the Salty Branch area.