The Christian Reenactor's Network presents:

Author: Barbara Lane, B.A. History, Mercy College, Michigan; M.A. Metaphysics, Westbrook University, New Mexico; pursuing doctoral studies in Metaphysics.

Publisher: A.R.E. Press, 1996 (Association for Research and Enlightenment)

A.R.E. Background: A.R.E. Press, as the publishing house for the Association of Research and Enlightenment (headquarters in Virginia Beach, Virginia), is an integral part of the efforts to promote the teachings of the 20th century clairvoyant/reincarnationist Edgar Cayce.

Reviewer's Note: This study is text-heavy due to the amount of available research and the importance of this issue. CRN considers Echoes as being a deadly serious, albeit spurious, threat to the spiritual welfare of Civil War reenactors everywhere.

Echoes from the Battlefield: A Critical Review

Chapters 1-9

Introduction: Foreward to Echoes

The author, Barbara Lane, traces her developing interest in Civil War reenacting and her professional involvment as a clinical hypnotherapist using "past-life regression techniques". Her book demonstrates her firm belief in the concept of reincarnation and its associated philosophical presuppositions (i.e., "westernized" eastern mysticism). Therefore, she hypothesizes that there may a linkage between a serious reenactor's predisposition towards reenacting and his/her past life existence. She contends that the eventual outcome of this research supports her theory. She secures twelve voluntary subjects for her research, "nearly all were perfectionists when it came to reenacting Civil War themes" (p.xvi)

Chapter 1: Echoes in the Mist

The author travels to Alexandria and Fort Washington, Virginia. This is her first noted exposure to Civil War reenacting. She states:

"I was haunted by the possibility that these weekend soldiers may have actually been replaying former lives" (p.4)

A later trip to a Manassas (Bull Run) reenactment reinforces Lane's thesis and intrigues her to the extent of pursuing this as the topic for her doctoral dissertation. She secures her first subject, proceeds with the hypnosis, and as a result she and the subject "were both shaken by the dramatic trance narrative" (p.9). She states "We were both convinced of the veracity of the information that had come through under hypnosis" (p.9). The same outcomes were experienced in subsequent procedures with other reenactors, including historian Brian Pohanka. Lane indicates her belief that "At death, that part of us [the creative side of our brain] may still be retained, while the ego simply slips away" (p.12). Lane concludes this chapter citing several experiences which point to the credibility of her thesis. Later, during a visit to Appomatox, she notes that at 1:30 p.m. she had begun to get a headache, precisely the experience of U.S.Grant prior to the acceptance of truce from Robert E. Lee. Her concluding quote is "Perhaps their [the reenactors'] accounts are breathing new life into a spirit that people believed to be dead--a spirit echoed in the souls of those who have reincarnated in this time. (p14)

Chapter 2: Do We Live Again?

Barbara Lane recalls a previous journey to New Delhi, India. She indicates that it was during this visit that "I began paying real attention to the philosophy of reincarnation" (p.15) She lists a number of authors who espoused firm beliefs in reincarnation (see The Guidon: "Echoes from the Reincarnationists") Each of these authors is used to provide validity and support for her reincarnation views. The reader is presumably to develop a sense of security in, and confidence with the author's thesis at this point. She states:

"Many more Westerners would believe in the philosophy today if it hadn't been for politics in the early Roman Catholic Church, according to Noel Langley's Edgar Cayce on Reincarnation. Some historians look to the Council of Nicea in 325 A.D. as the point at which the Emperor Constantine negotiated the condemnation of the doctrine. Others credit the Byzantine Emporer Justinian and his wife with obliterating most of the references to reincarnation from the Bible in the sixth century" (p.21)

What Lane fails to do is explain that Langley's contention is erroneous and factually indefensible. Careful research of church history indisputably demonstrates that the writing the the entire New Testment was completed by the end of the first century A.D. Biblical archeology has clearly shown that he writings eliminated by early church fathers were largely produced after the death of the apostles. Contained in these later writings are the "Gnostic" ideas she refers to. Long before the Roman Catholic church and Justinian was this issue dealt with. In A.D. 190 Ireneaus of Lyons stated in Against Heresies:

"Even if the Apostles had known of secret mysteries, which they taught to the perfect secretly and apart from others, they would have handed them down, especially to those to whom they were entrusting the church themselves" [Mark Albrecht, p.43, citing C.C. Richardson, ed., Early Christian Fathers (New York: Macmillan, 1970) pp.371-372

In addition, the author continues to assert the seemingly universality of the belief citing Judaism (through the Kabbala sect) and some sects of Islam. (p.21) She continues to press the point and instill reader confidence by asserting that many of the world's greatest thinkers have espoused the philosophy. After all, if all these great thinkers and world religion recognize reencarnation as a valid concept, why shouldn't the reader? Lane then admits

"there is very little scientific data that supports the authenticity of hypnotic past-life regressions". (p.22)

It is also in this chapter that Lane introduces the term "karma" within a quote from Benjamin Walker:

"This evolution [of the soul] is not haphazard, but follows the law of karma or cause and effect. All actions have consequences, some of which are delayed to future lives. We punish ourselves by our actions, and the very defects and difficulties under which we suffer offer scope for our perfection" (p.22)

Commendably, Lane discusses the various hypotheses and research findings which point to the possibility of hallucinatory-type fantasies, possibly blended with yet-undetermined natural processes and genuine past-life recall information. She curiously asserts, however, that "It would also be unlikely that imagination and fantasy could produce the historical verification of most of the details and chronology in each regression" (p.28).

A significant statement is made by Lane which indicates her acknowlegement of "possession" as being a feasible component in the regression experience: In fact, it contradicts her own contention in Chapter 5 that the regressed subject is in control at all times:

"Possession is another method of gaining past-life information. It is the possession of the living person by a dead entity [person]. None of the reenactors appeared to show any of the common signs of possessions described in Dr.Fiore's The Unique Dead. The death experiences described by the subjects were not indicative of a attached entity: uncoached, they went to the light and followed [Raymond] Moody's near-death description in Life After Life". I feel that it is possible that some reenactors may have attached entities...Because of the traumatic deaths, some Civil War soldiers most likely remained earthbound"(p29)

The author does not contend that reincarnation is the exclusive explanation for all twelve of her subjects' experiences. However, the inclusion of this theory, the supportive research, extensive quotes from reincarnationists, and the title of her book leave little doubt as to her reincarnationist presuppositions, or at the very least her predisposition.

Chapter 3: A Short Course in Reenacting and Civil War Buzz Words

This chapter comprises a most excellent source of terminology familiar to Civil War reenactors and historians. It is rich in information, statistics, and would be a superb "Reenactor 101" primer. It demonstates the author's sincere desire to understand the world of the Civil War reenactor.

Chapter 4: Steve-The Soldier Returns

Steve M. is a forty-four year old commercial property manager, Vietnam veteran, and a Civil War reenactor for eleven years. During his regression, Steve assumes the role of a Federal corporal, "William Snyder". As his regression unfolds, he finds his regiment engaged in a battle with the Confederates who are protected by a line of breastworks. His brigade is issued an order to charge the enemy with uncapped weapons. The charge completed, Steve speaks of surviving the action with just a lump on his head as he lies on the ground. A friend, Jim, comes to his aid, helps him up, and the regression continues. Eventually, his regiment is found marching through a cornfield, at which time he takes a hit in the chest and apparently his character "dies". At this point, the character states "I feel very light--just white--like a light coming to me...everything will be alright if I can get to the light." (p.54) Immediately after this, "I'm happy, 'cause I'm home. Mamma's there. Mamma's made me an apple pie". The author did not commit to an explanation, but suggested that this might be a near-death-experience (NDE), a death culminating in arrival in the afterlife, or a wounded soldier finding himself back home. Following the regressed death, "William" becomes "Daniel Haynes". This turn of events perplexes the author. Lane than describes the subject's religious background: Although he had been raised Catholic, he was open to the possibilities of rebirth. Steve believed in the immortality of the soul. He felt that, as souls, we go through through many stages of evolution and development before we 'retire'" (p.55) Barbara Lane offers a speculative assessment:

"Most past-life therapists agree that death is the great unresolved trauma. The unfinished business we leave at death--whether physical, mental, or emotional--gets carried forward to the next life to be relived or resolved. Could this be one of the main reasons for the reenactor's fascinations with the Civil War? Deep in their souls are they really seeking to resolve unfinished business from their lives in the 1860's?" (p.56) And again,

"Past-life researchers tell of soldiers who continue fighting after they have died. Some, particularly those with violent deaths, may remain in the vicinity of the death." (p.56) A reference is then made to Edgar Cayce and others who shared the view that those who died violently "wandered the lower astral planes and returned to earth too quickly". (p.57) Concluding this chapter, Lane then reviews the historical elements of the regression and concludes that they were correct in the details with some corroboration from Brian Pohanka.

Chapter 5: Alan-Beginner's Luck

Alan M. is one of the younger reenactors at age twenty-nine, a computer specialist, having been involved in the hobby for merely two-and-a-half years. He indicated no knowledge of any Civil War ancestors, had little familiarity with Civil War history, and had a penchant for Civil War drill, concentrating his impression on accuracy in Manual of Arms. Lane incorporates a defensive statement at this point stating:

"To set the record straight, clients are in control during hypnosis and are often aware of their surroundings". (p.61)

The regression experience of Alan brings him into a prison camp. He is evidently a prison guard. According to the author his story "didn't give as many details as some of the others, [but] his story checked out historically. (p.66) An interesting comment is that Alan "described the construction of the stockade with telephone poles..."(p.66). Lane didn't offer commentary on how the local 1860's "telephone company" felt about this pilferage.

Lane indicated that while the subject in real life,"...believed in the possibility of reincarnation, he focused more on the afterlife. He said that he was not sure where the soul goes or whether it spends time in purgatory or in heaven after death. He was not sure whether the soul keeps reincarnating until it becomes perfected, but he felt confident that as long as one is honest and treats people fairly, one will get to heaven" (p.66) Concluding this chapter, Lane states that "...the regression was more easily authenticated in Civil War files than some of the others" (p.68) although in her supportive research the specific name and unit of the regressed character Stephen Wright or White does not exactly match the data cited.(p.68) Apparently the character lacked for some recall over the century ensuing.

Chapter Six: Dave-Strange Coincidences

Dave P. is introduced as a fifty-two year old reenactor who has had a passion for the Civil war for over thirty years. He is an avid collector of memorabilia, maintains an extensive library in his home, and has been enthusiastically committed to reenacting for twenty-six years. He also acted in the motion pictures "Gettysburg" and "Andersonville". His great-grandfather fought in the conflict. Concerning the subject, Lane writes "Episodes of emotional waves that flooded Dave at various battlesites had opened up to him the possibility of reincarnation" (p.70) Rather than being narrative, Dave's regression account opens in court-records style, Lane describing the hypnotic dialogue virtually verbatim.

The subject describes his surroundings at his encampment in the Shenandoah Valley at sunrise. He identifies himself as "McNalley", (later identified as "James McNalley") a Union soldier also known as "the Irishman" or "Mack". As morning progresses, a march is recounted. It soon becomes late day, nearing sunset. Suddenly, his brigade is engaged in a raging battle. With bullets flying, he receives a hit in the arm, and subsequently is captured. He is escorted to a hospital/church where his arm is amputated. Soon, the subject is placed on a train and arrives at "Hospital Camp Sumter". He feels himself in a fever as he calls longingly for his wife "Ellen". Having fallen asleep at this time in his session with Lane, he then awakens (still under hypnosis) to the next episode wherin he is composing a letter to his wife through the assistance of another individual. In it, he shares in deep emotion the loss of his arm and longing to see his wife again. Once more "falling asleep", Dave then awakens to the news of his parole from the army. He then subsequently transported via train, boat, and wagon, arriving to his home town of "Monroe". Finally, he sees his house, is lovingly greeted by his wife and shown to his prepared room. The regression account concludes. Lane concludes by presenting her data concerning the subject's family war history and his reenacting involvements (p.83). She notes that for the remainder of the reenactment season following his regression, Dave experienced pain in his left arm. As a result, he ceased using it, being careful to protect his arm for the duration. She correlates this regression-induced information with research data and postulates that his grandfather's arm injury/amputation may be reflected in his family medical history. In conclusion, the author traces the final years of James McNally, his death, and the eventual birth of the subject Dave P. "just 4 miles from where his great-grandfather James McNally died" (p.84)

Chapter 7: Rob-Out of the Mouths of Babes

Demonstrating a keen interest in the Civil war at least since first grade, Rob H. began his love for the period at age four playing with his brother's blue and gray soldiers. He was born on Stonewall Jackson's birthday, two days after Robert E. Lee's birthday. At his brother's suggestion, he was named after Robert E. Lee. From a fourth grade "Pickett's Charge" project throughout high school, the Civil war captivated his interest, time, and passion. He pursued a part, and partipated in the motion picture "Gettysburg". Rob admitted that his Civil War interest was all-consuming as he worked on a college degree. He later had a brush with death while acting in an A&E documentary. He considers himself "hard core", being careful not to compromise authenticity details for even thread count and stitching.

The regression commenced as Rob related his account as being in "slow motion". He is identified as a Confederate soldier. His unit is described as being a formed in skirmish line and exposed before the Federal brigade. The fierce action begins. Rob's friend is killed; his emotions escalate, he desires retaliation. Looking around he observes as the battle develops the Confederate troops are in orderly retreat. Eventually, he is shot in the "right shoulder around the collar bone" (p.92) and finds himself in a hospital. The outcome is evidently a flesh wound. He then discovers that he is at his deserted, ravaged home. Suddenly, he is back with his unit. The narrative continues as Rob, whose character is still unidentified, resumes military activities on the field. He continues to relate details as he observes his surroundings and the activities of those around him. Suddenly Rob notes that he is engaged in, and lives through, the "Battle of the Crater" (p.99). He describes the soldier's life around him and transitions into a narrative of his presence at the Appomatix surrender. He then "falls asleep", awakening back at his deserted home. He journeys into town and is greeted as "Jim". The regression experience concludes at this point.

Reviewing Rob's information, Lane reviews her research findings, noting the possible accuracy of some account details from historian Brian Pohanka. Although his identity is not revealed during the regression, Lane submits that it might be a "John T.Jackson" or "James Jackson". She states that both historical chronology, name, unit, and story matches" suggest these noble soldiers long passed from this world.

Chapter 8: Buddy-Heart Problems

A Confederate reenactor for twenty-five years, Buddy L. recalls the early days of the hobby before authentic uniforms were available. His great-grandfather fought at Gettysburg, later succumbing to wounds at the Fort Delaware prisoner-of-war hospital. Buddy participated in the film "Gettysburg". He also specializes in re-creating medical scenarios. According to the author, Buddy had not totally ruled out the concept of reincarnation and agreed to be regressed (p.109). The session begins.

Buddy's character is on the march into battle. They form for action near a woods; the enemy emerges and the battle begins. Suddenly, Buddy finds himself lying on the ground, face up. He has been hit in the shoulder. Someone comes to his aid and carries him to the nearby house-hospital. He identifies the location as Manassas. Subsequently he is transported to the main hospital via rail, during which time he discovers his identity as "Bill". Following this, he recuperates in a Richmond hospital and is sent back to his unit, arriving at Manassas Junction. He is again with his unit, identified as the as the 17th Virginia. A new battle begins, which the Confederates win. He marches victoriously into town with his unit. The scene abruptly changes and he identifies his setting as "Fredericksburg", in the rifle pits. The enemy advances and the Confederates poceed to slaughter the enemy. Buddy gets shot and relates his own death scene as he is "...floating up--looking down" (p.112). The session concludes.

Following this regression experience, Buddy "..began to reevaluate his thinking [about reincarnation] due to an accurate chronology of events. (p.113] Lane states that "After his experience and changing his outlook, he nearly tripled his rating [of his belief in the possibility of reincarnation]. (p.115). The author then proceeds to link the regression episodes together and presents her chronological hypothesis, including proposed name and unit matches. in conclusion, Buddy offers his assessment of the experience "It was too real to be anything else" (p.117).

Chapter Nine: MaryLynne--A Hoop Skirt for a Gun

The only female in the Echoes study is 30-year old MaryLynne B., a civilian reenactor with seven-years Civil War reenacting experience. She possesses an undergraduate degree in Costume Design and Theatre and she was working towards a master of science degree in historic costume and textiles. She is painstaking in her her attention to authenticity, virtually perfecting the art of hoop-skirt management, and passionate about her impression. Lane notes that MaryLynne was unaware how she learned the art of "hiking up her skirt" to ensure safe mobility over large objects. Likely, Lane desires to submit this nuance as possible evidence MaryLynne's previous existence. Precision in 19th-century mannerisms also describes this fine, dedicated reenactor. She notes that she is generally a Federal reenactor and, in reak life, a pacifist. The author then notes that her boyfrien said that "she thinks like a man"(p.120) The regression begins.

Her experience begins with the observation of a light gradually increasing in intensity. "Something's wrong", she states, "The light is getting bright. It's all white. I can't see anything. There are swirls of black. I see lights on the bottom." (p.121) Lane interprets this as MaryLynne's death scene. There is sense of panic and apprehensiveness is revealed. She then visualizes her arrival in a town as a male named "Bob" or "Rob". She eventually enters the dining room of her home with her mother and sister present. She notes that her dad is absent from the scene. Her last name is revealed by her sister as B-R-O-D-something. She accepts "Brody" as the family surname. Her Father's first name is Robert or Michael. (p.122) She notes that her family is "wealthy" and residing in the town of "Hartford", hoever, she is unable at this time to identify the state (p.122) although she relates that is in the a rural, western town (possiby Ohio, Illinois, or Indiana). She identifies her age as "fourteen or sixteen". The narration unfolds as MaryLynne observes life around her in its busy war-time environment. She then finds herself at the train deport, scheduled for a train bound for the nation's capital, Washington [City]. She identifies her unit as "the 14th Ohio, Company 'D' or 'G'", or the 43rd or 3rd Ohio. People call her "Harry", so she surmises that "Robert" is her middle name. Under hypnosis, she suggests the possibility that her surname "Brody" might also be "Mitchell" (p.123). MaryLynne then visualizes herself a male, being about seventeen-years-old, on the field of battle. A number or other past-life researchers are cited (p.125), complete with accompanying probability statistics for individuals who have changed sex in their regression experiences. The author then submits her hypothisis, demonstrating some supportive research aquired by other hypnotherapist researchers. She refers to the records of the Ohio Roster Commission (p.126) in support of the regression's veracity.

In conclusion, Lane notes that she was unable to find a convincing, perfect match for MaryLynne's experience, concluding with some rhetorical questions: "Could it be that besides heredity and environmental factors, past lives influence our personalities, our talents, our choices, and our current lives? And, if so, based on MaryLynne's experiences revealed here, what might we be like in our next lives?" (p.126)

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