Gettysburg Battlefield - Devil’s Den

A Brief History: Long before it became a Civil War battleground, Devil’s Den was a sacred place for the native Iroquois Indians. The Susquehanna tribe inhabited the area surrounding Devil’s Den as early as the mid-1400’s. At some point between then and the arrival of European settlers, the natives arranged the large stones naturally located at Devil’s Den into very unique patterns. These stones were later discovered to actually be a reliable and surprisingly accurate celestial calendar that the natives used for agricultural and religious purposes. There have also been hundreds of worn tomahawks unearthed in the area, suggesting the Susquehanna had a battle of their own at Devil’s Den. The land was purchased from the Iroquois in 1736 by Irish settlers.

During July of 1863 the American Civil War was in full swing. The Confederate Army under the command of General Robert E. Lee after a string of victories in the south of the country turned north. The aim was to march up through Pennsylvania, and from there march onto Washington D.C. to try to end the war. The Union Army, newly under the command of General George Meade also moved into Pennsylvania. The battle for Devil’s Den occurred on the second day of the fighting, July 2nd, 1863. The fighting began as Confederate troops attempted to take the high ground from Union General David Birney at Devil’s Den. Union forces had been using the area for their artillery batteries which were counter firing on Confederate artillery. Confederate troops, under orders from General Hood finally pushed through the Union line causing a retreat late in the day, as soldiers from the 1stTexas Regiment overran the area. The cost of the fighting was high. The Confederates incurred around 1,800 casualties, and approximately 800 Union defenders were either killed or wounded during the fighting. Devil’s Den would also become the location of Confederate sharpshooters whom could hide in the rocks and pick off Union officers and artillerymen on Little Round Top.

Haunted History: There are many paranormal claims that occur around Devils Den. There are reports of people seeing soldiers around the area and then just disappear. There has been tons of evidence captured at this site by paranormal investigators such as EVPs and apparitions caught on photographs. There is one story from Devil’s Den that is a bit helpful. I would call this a supernatural Kodak moment. It is said that a young boy in a large hat will help you find the best place to take a picture by the boulders at Devil’s Den. Once you snap the picture the boy disappears. So if you are ever in Gettysburg look for the boy in the big floppy hat, he may help you take a perfect picture.