Devil's Den facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Devil's Den
Part of the Gettysburg Campaign
The struggle for Devil's Den during the battle
Date July 2, 1863 Location Gettysburg, Pennsylvania Result Union Victory
Belligerents
Union	Confederate States of America
Commanders and leaders
Brig. Gen. J.H. Hobart Ward (w)
Strength
6 Infantry regiments 2 Sharpshooter companies total: 2,423 engaged	5,525 total
Casualties and losses
138 killed 548 wounded 135 missing 3 Cannons captured total: 821	329 killed 1,107 wounded 378 missing total: 1,815

Devil's Den is a famous rocky hill at the Gettysburg Battlefield in Pennsylvania. It's covered with huge boulders. During the American Civil War, soldiers used this spot. It was especially important on the second day of the Battle of Gettysburg in 1863. Today, Devil's Den is a popular place for visitors. You can see cannons, memorials, and even a bridge between the rocks.

History of Devil's Den

Devil's Den was formed a very long time ago, about 200 million years. It was created by natural forces like freezing and thawing. This process broke apart a type of rock called igneous rock. This rock had pushed up from deep inside the Earth. Devil's Den is connected to other famous spots like Little Round Top and Big Round Top.

How Devil's Den Got Its Name

This rocky area got its spooky name before the 1863 battle. Local people in the mid-1800s believed a very large snake lived in the cracks between the boulders. Stories said the snake was anywhere from 8 to 15 feet long! People called this snake "The Devil." Because of this, the place where the snake supposedly lived became known as "The Devil's Den." Some soldiers even called it "Devil's Cave." There's also a spot on a rock that collects water and looks like a flying bat with horns.

Devil's Den in the Battle of Gettysburg

On July 2, 1863, Devil's Den became a key battleground. Union soldiers from Smith's battery used the hill. They fired their cannons at Confederate artillery. This happened before a major attack by Confederate General McLaws.

Defending Devil's Den

Later that day, Confederate General Hood's soldiers attacked. Devil's Den was defended by Union General Birney's division. It was the far left side of the Union's III Corps. The hill was eventually captured by the Confederate 1st Texas Infantry. They pushed forward and took the Union cannons. After this, Confederate soldiers used Devil's Den to launch their next attack on The Wheatfield.

Sharpshooters and Counter-Fire

Confederate sharpshooters hid among the rocks at Devil's Den. They fired at Union soldiers on nearby Little Round Top. Two important Union officers, General Stephen H. Weed and Lieutenant Charles E. Hazlett, were hit by these sharpshooters. Hazlett's cannons fired back at Devil's Den. The force of the cannon fire killed many of the sharpshooters hiding in the rocks.

Images for kids

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  Taken in Devil's Den of PA militiamen playing "Dead" in November 1863!

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  Civil War artist Alfred Waud sketching for the Battle of Gettysburg at Devil's Den.

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  Devil's Den today.

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  Devil's Den viewed from Little Round Top.

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  Devil's Den (left) is across Sickles Av & Plum Run from the trolley railbed.