One of my experiences scared the bejeezus out of me. I was metal detecting with my Dad way back up in the woods near the Savannah River on what was an old home site. Being where it was near an old road that existed since the 1700s, the area had activity (dwellings) from the 1700s to current. We have found stuff from colonial homesites to Civil War to everything in between and after.

This particular place was an old homesite not far from the river. It was once an old field with a slight hill top on which the house stood. Now, it still is a field but a pine forest - planted in rows for harvesting. Bordering one side is creek/draw and the other an old oak forest. At the edge of the oak forest we found a grave marker made of pine that turned to fat lighter with a date that partially read 18.. (the last two unreadable). This site was also fairly close to the major roadway back then.

The day in question was early summer and hot. In the pine field/forest were also scattered bushes/small trees, so the ground not only had pine straw but leaves, too. Those of you who have spent time in the woods during hot/dry season know that you can't walk quietly.

It was morning when we went. Hot with no air movement. Just stagnant, so to speak. I was on one side of the place and my Dad was on the other out of eyesight and sound. I usually detect with my head down watching what I'm doing but look up a bit, too. Even with my small headphones I can still hear everything around me. I hadn't been then but roughly an hour or so before I started feeling uneasy, like someone was watching me. It was deathly quiet - not a sound except my steps and detector head sweeping the ground. It's like the hair stood up on the back of my neck. Very uneasy.

After a few minutes, I shook it off and went back to detecting. Then it happened again but this time stronger. And I was starting to get a bit nervous. At the very moment I looked up I saw a man walking roughly 20-30 yards from me. He was dressed in a Confederate uniform - grey woolen shirt, pants, etc. He continued walking and turned to look at me before disappearing in the trees.

Mind you, there was no sound. Nothing. No wind, no birds. No footsteps from him. Nothing. He was walking with no sound at all. And vanished. I couldn't really make out his eyes but I knew he was looking at me as his head was turned in my direction.

I got out of there, running. My Dad? He laughed at the story. We have been there prior to that event and many times after. That's the only time I've ever felt that or had any experience.