TRY OUT GHOST HUNTING AT THE DEVIL’S DEN GETTYSBURG BATTLEGROUND
Devil’s Den Gettysburg remains one of the most haunted places you’ll find among Civil War battlegrounds. Ghosts and unexplainable paranormal activities have been long reported, starting right after the Battle of Gettysburg came to an end. Considering the magnitude of fighting and the number of deaths that took place here, it’s no surprise; however, the activities being reported on the grounds are ghastly even by the spiritual world’s standards.
What Happened at Devil’s Den Gettysburg?
Devil’s Den became the site of a rare Confederate win on the second day during the Battle of Gettysburg.
The land was tough, with huge boulders and marshy valleys that made moving around hard for both sides, leading to many deaths and power exchanges.
At first, Union troops held Devil’s Den, but Confederate forces attacked from the west, and would eventually capture several cannons while pushing Union Soldiers back to a place now called the Slaughter Pen—aptly named because of the carnage that would occur.
Between Confederate sharpshooters firing on Union Soldiers and the North exchanging bombardments with their enemies, a lot of people died in a number of horrible ways.
When the dust settled, the Union eventually took back control, won the Battle of Gettysburg, and turned the tide of the Civil War.
However, not before a devastated landscape laid home to over 1,800 Confederate and 800 Union Soldiers losing their lives.
Today, Devil’s Den is part of Gettysburg National Military Park, remembering the history and honoring those who fought there, while many who visit report several instances of paranormal activity still present throughout the area.
Geology Plays a Major Role, Costing Lives
The geology of Gettysburg played a major role in the battle's outcome, with Union troops using ridges and hills for strategic advantage.
However, the Confederate forces advanced through the marshy valleys and lowlands.
Ultimately, they were able to move Union Soldiers from high points like Cemetery Ridge, Culp's Hill, and the Round Tops.
Boulders and rock formations, such as those at Devil's Den, provided cover and defensive positions for troops on both sides but moving around was another issue.
Thin soil and resistant bedrock on hilltops made it difficult for Union troops to dig trenches, forcing them to rely on natural rock formations for protection.
These factors are what would lead to the thousands of deaths suffered between the sides.
When troops did have cover, it was a blessing but getting to and from one place left many between literal rocks and hard places or in a thick marsh below, far from a place of advantage.
Ghosts in Devil’s Den Gettysburg Don’t Want to Be Bothered
Apparitions have always mystified mankind, yet it’s still hard to determine what those from beyond the dead are trying to tell us.
However, whereas other Civil War battlefields and locations have reports of ghosts doing specific tasks or even fighting each other in the afterlife, Devil’s Den works a little differently.
There is plenty of paranormal activity that has been reported over the years, which began shortly after the battle when Confederate troops guarding the area at night are said to have experienced eerie, supernatural events.
However, unlike other areas, Devil’s Den's haunted past continues into the present and doesn’t reveal itself with as much clarity.
It should be no surprise considering the intense fighting, and scale of deaths, combined with its eerie landscape, that there have been numerous ghost sightings and paranormal reports.
Tourists and ghost hunters frequently visit the site, often attempting to capture ghostly phenomena with cameras and recording devices.
However, these spirits aren’t as easy to capture, and many who go to the battlegrounds with equipment such as cameras and cell phones, regularly experience malfunctions or devices that shut down altogether.
Strangely enough, paranormal investigators report their devices functioning normally once they leave the area.
However, some also report seeing ghosts that appear and then disappear in photos, even damaging their equipment permanently.
How your experience goes may vary but it’s safe to say that the spirits of the battleground remain strongly connected to this life and the next.
Restoration efforts in recent years have provided plenty of trails and walkways for visitors while preserving the spooky battlefield for years to come.
If you’re looking for a historic place to visit with a haunting presence, a trip to Devil’s Den in Gettysburg is a must.
Address: Devil's Den, Sickles Ave, Gettysburg, PA 17325
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