>    Gettysburg – The Valley of Death: From Munchower Hill to Devil’s Den Saturday, May 12 – A Walking Tour led by Gary Kross

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

On July 2, 1863, some of the fiercest fighting at Gettysburg played out in the area between Munchower’s Hill and Devil’s Den – in the area known as The Valley of Death.

 

Four of the six cannons of the 4th New York Battery, commanded by Captain James Smith, were positioned on top of the rocks of Devil’s Den on the extreme left of Union General Daniel Sickles' Third Corps line. The other two cannon were positioned on a knoll in the Valley of Death.

 

Smith expected that the Confederates would attack on the west side through the Triangular Field. But the infantry brigades under Confederate Brigadier General Jerome Robertson and Brigadier General Henry Benning emerged on Warfield Ridge and attacked from three sides. The 15th Georgia and the 1st Texas Infantry came through the Triangular Field. The fighting was at close range, and the repeated Confederate charges were fierce.

 

The 4th Maine, led by Colonel Elijah Walker, was positioned behind Smith in the Slaughter Pen, the portion of valley that separates Devil’s Den and Little Round Top. The 44th and 48th Alabama moved in to confront them.

 

The Confederates’ advance through the boulders was difficult, but they managed to take Devil’s Den, and Union survivors withdrew to Little Round Top as the 124th New York Infantry stalled the Rebels. The 3rd Arkansas Infantry under Robertson launched one more fierce assault and took control of the den with the 1st Texas charging up the Triangular Field in support behind them with a loud rebel yell.

 

Confederate sharpshooters settled into the rock crevices of Devil’s Den and began to pick off Union soldiers across the valley and above them on top of Little Round Top. But as the Alabamians and Texans tried to advance from boulder to boulder up the hill, the Union troops held their ground.

On our May tour, we will thoroughly explore this intensive fighting and walk through the Valley of Death to see first-hand how the terrain dictated the course of the battle. The tour will involve very little transport by bus and will be conducted on foot almost entirely in the area between Munchower Hill and Devil’s Den. The distances we’ll cover are not great and none of the walking will be overly difficult. And we’ll have a support vehicle nearby at all times in case you want to hitch a ride forward. Join us in May on this, our first Gettysburg tour of 2012.

About Our Tour Leader

Gary Kross is a Gettysburg Licensed Battlefield Guide and has led more tours of Gettysburg for the CWEA than any other historian. He has authored most of the annual Gettysburg issues of Blue & Gray Magazine, and serves as the magazine’s associate editor.

 

Saturday, May 12

8:15 AM on          Assemble at old Cyclorama Parking Lot on Taneytown Road

8:45 AM              Begin Tour             

12:15 PM             Buffet Lunch at General Pickett’s Buffet Restaurant

4:30 PM               Arrive Back at old Cyclorama Parking Lot

           

q Registration Fee: $150

 

If You Must Cancel we will refund 100% of your fees paid within 30 days of your notice.

 

What is Included in Your Registration:

·        the services of an expert historian chosen for his knowledge and experience     

·        bus transportation around the battlefield

·        lunch at General Picket’s Buffet Restaurant in Gettysburg

·        refreshments and snacks during the tour   

 

Lodging: Please secure your lodging as soon as possible. We suggest these nearby motels:

·        Inn at 1863, 516 Baltimore - 717-334-6211

·        Best Inn, 301 Steinwehr - 717-334-1188

·        Quality Inn, 380 Steinwehr - 717-334-1103

·        Travelodge, 613 Baltimore - 717-334-9281