Cumberland Township near Gettysburg in Adams County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Devil's Den and the Slaughter Pen
July 2nd 1863 - Second Day
For weeks after the battle, a delirious Alabama soldier suffering from his wounds repeated these words
The labyrinth of boulders and crevices in front of you was known to local residents as "Devil's Den," a name that would become famous in the history of the Civil War. The rocky gorge to your left and behind you earned the name "Slaughter Pen" for the great number of Confederates killed there.
Late on the afternoon of July 2, Confederates of Hood's Division captured Devil's Den and the ridge above here in a bloody struggle that lasted an hour and a half. Devil's Den then became a nest of Confederate sharpshooters who took aim at Union officers and men on Little Round Top behind you to the right. The sniping continued until the end of the battle on July 3.
As historic photos demonstrate, the rocks of Devil's Den and the Slaughter Pen have changed little since the time of the battle. A trail beginning here winds up through the boulders 1/10 mile to the top of Devil's Den and a fine viewpoint of Little Round Top.
Erected by Gettysburg National Military Park.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. A significant historical date for this entry is July 2, 1943.
Location. This marker has been replaced by another marker nearby. It was located near 39° 47.488′ N, 77° 14.515′ W. Marker was near Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, in Adams County. It was in Cumberland Township. Marker was at the intersection of Sickles Avenue and Warren Avenue, on the right when traveling west on Sickles Avenue. Located in the Devils Den section of Gettysburg National Military Park. Touch for map. Marker was in this post office area: Gettysburg PA 17325, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this location. Shaping the Battlefield (here, next to this marker); Slaughter at Devil's Den (here, next to this marker); 4th Maine Infantry (within shouting distance of this marker); The Attack on Devil's Den (within shouting distance of this marker); 4th New York Independent Battery (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Civil War Photography (about 300 feet away); Holding Houck's Ridge (about 300 feet away); Robertson's Brigade (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Gettysburg.
More about this marker. In the upper right is a drawing captioned, Confederate infantry overran Devil's Den on the afternoon of July 2. Below it a photo shows the Slaughter Pen. During the fight for Devil's Den and Little Round To, scores of soldiers fell dead among the rocks. This Timothy O'Sullivan photo taken three days after the battle shows Confederate dead lying in the "Slaughter Pen," the valley behind you.
Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. The Devil's Den virtual tour by markers.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on January 6, 2009, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 5,605 times since then and 106 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on January 6, 2009, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 5. submitted on July 21, 2009, by Patty Strahin Markley of Tunnelton, West Virginia.