— July 2 1863 - Second Day —

"No, boys, hold your fire until they come right up. Then pour a volley into them, and if they don't stop run your bayonets into their bellies."
Brig. Gen. Henry L. Benning, C.S.A.
Benning's Brigade, Hood's Division

The fate of Devil's Den (located to your left) was partly decided in the Triangular Field, the grassy five acres in front of you. Union infantry, in support of Smith's 4th New York Battery, took position on the rocky ridge behind you.

About 4:00 p.m. on July 2, after a 30-minute artillery duel, Col. P.A. Work's 1st Texas Infantry appeared behind a stone wall at the lower edge of the field. The Texas marksman silenced the cannon, which could not be aimed low enough to hit them, then jumped the wall and advanced up the field. When they neared the upper wall, Col. A. Van Horne Ellis ordered his New Yorkers to "up and fire," staggering the Texans. A daring Union counterattack down across the field kept the Southerners at bay, but Ellis was shot dead.

Shouting, "Give them hell, boys," Brig. Gen. Henry L. Benning led his Georgia Brigade up through the field in support of the Texans. The hard-pressed Union defenders could not hold, and Devil's Den fell to the Confederates.

Sorry, but we don't have a picture of this historical marker yet. If you have a picture, please share it with us. It's simple to do. 1) Become a member. 2) Adopt this historical marker listing. 3) Upload the picture.

Show me all markers in:  Gettysburg, PA  |  Adams County  |  17325  |  Pennsylvania  |  United States of America

Smith's New York Battery
Robertson's Brigade
4th New York Independent Battery
99th Pennsylvania Infantry
The Attack on Devil's Den
124th New York Infantry
Confederate Sharpshooter?
Second Brigade
Devil's Den and the Slaughter Pen
4th Maine Infantry

• GPX
• KML
• LOC

Have you seen this marker? If so, check in and tell us about it.