Case Files: Devil's Den Gettysburg

The Battle of Gettysburg, fought over three days from July 1 to 3, 1863, was the bloodiest battle of the American Civil War and a major turning point. It took place in and around the town of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, and was fought between the Union Army of the Potomac, led by General George Meade, and the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia, led by General Robert E. Lee. The battle resulted in 51,000 casualties, making it the single bloodiest battle in the American Civil War. It was also the Confederate Army's last invasion of the North and a decisive Union victory, ending Confederate hopes of winning the conflict. It is considered to be the most important battle of the conflict, as it ended General Lee's attempt to invade the North and forced a retreat back to Virginia.

Because of this, Gettysburg has become one of the leading paranormal hotspots in the world. Throughout the several years I lived there, I investigated the land hundreds of times. One of those locations and its surroundings was Devil’s Den. Named so by the Indigenous peoples of the area as it was home to a large poisonous snake. The Devils Den is an iconic landmark in the Gettysburg National Military Park. Located on the southern end of the battlefield, it is a rocky area filled with boulders, crevices, and rocky outcrops. It is considered by many to be the most famous point of interest in the entire battlefield.

Bloody Run / Devils Den 1999

Devils Den / Snipers Den 1999

Devils Den Overlooking Little Round Top 1999

Devils Den 2000

Devils Den / Snipers Den 2001

During the Battle of Gettysburg, it was the site of intense fighting between Confederate and Union forces. It has been said that the violence in the area was so fierce that it was the Devil himself who was fighting. Visitors to Devils Den can explore the area and walk in the footsteps of the soldiers who fought here over 150 years ago. There are many markers and monuments in the Den that detail the events that occurred here during the battle. Whether you're a history buff or just someone looking for a beautiful spot to explore, Devils Den is a great place to visit.

Surrounding the area is a location called Triangle Field, and Bloody Run. A lot of casualties were reported in the area. These locations themselves are paranormal in activity. One legend is a wendigo lurks in Bloody Run.

Triangle Field is synonymous with an old wooden gate going across the fence line, across the street from the upper half of Devils Den.

Triangle Field 2001

Triangle Field 2005 Gate

Bloody Run is down below across the parking lot.

Bloody Run 2001 Overlooking Devils Den

Now that we have our history straight, let’s get down to business! In 1999, the first time coming to Gettysburg, I was with Hildred and Courtney, and it was a blast! Gettysburg was like a new diamond in the rough for me. The land was incredible! Anyway, we were on the battlefield driving to the top part of Devil’s Den when I pulled off to the side and parked. Courtney stayed in the car, while Hildred and I went around to the back and gathered our equipment in the trunk.

Out of nowhere, a tall man wearing a duster, Calvary hat, and lantern walks up to me from Devils Den to the rear, and stops to my left, while Hildred was to my right talking with some other tourists out for an evening stroll in the park about 10 feet from me. The gentlemen asked where I was going, and I said, “we were going to go down into Triangle Field” and pointed around the trunk lid down below.

He said, in a weird tone “you do not want to go down there” and pointed towards the field.

“You want to go there” and pointed down the road. Then walke