Slaughter at Devil's Den

General John B. Hood's Confederates attacked the Union position at Devil's Den, a rugged labyrinth of boulders. Alabama and Georgia troops advanced from the rocky gorge as a sheet of flame burst from the rocks less than a hundred yards away. Despite their losses, they came on in heroic manner against the 4th Maine, sheltered among the boulders. The deafening roar of exploding shells and relentless rifle fire echoed among the giant rocks, drowning out the shouts and groans of dying soldiers. Enemies scrambled from boulder to boulder in vicious fighting. Confederates ultimately forced a Union retreat, and Confederate sharpshooters held the position for the remainder of the battle. Confederates were cut down by annihilating artillery and musket fire in the rocky gorge, earning it the name the Slaughter Pen.

Pennsylvania · United States