November 26, 2014

I’ve always been absolutely fascinated by Devil’s Den, and it has to do with a lot more than just the epic struggle that took place. I’ll admit, it’s the rocks. Where else can you touch boulders that have been jutting from the earth’s surface for millions of years? The rocks of Gettysburg have been a lifelong interest of mine. There seems to be no rhyme or reason . . . some flat, some round, some huge, some relatively small, popping up wherever they chose, with no apparent purpose. And why, one wonders, did the rocks of Devil’s Den “choose” to come up all together instead of spreading off in all directions? Why didn’t the boulders in the Plum Run ravine across the road grow into Devil’s Den instead of standing off by their lonesome? With appreciation for the Gettysburg boulders in mind, I offer two views of the Sharpshooter’s Nest!

(click for larger view)

 (1) Generic view of the area, with the Witness Tree visible

(2) Edge of the boulders showing the path through Devil's Den

**HONORED TODAY**

PVT. BENJAMIN FRANKLIN PITTMAN

Co. C, 1^ST North Carolina Infantry

Born 1832/35 --- Died September 14, 1863

Pvt. Pittman survived almost a year in the army, but his luck ran out at Gettysburg. Records list him as both “Pitman” and “P. F. Pittman.” He was taken prisoner after the battle and sent to a Union hospital, later dying at Camp Letterman. He was married to Delaney with three children, James, Jonathan, and Ellen. Pvt. Pittman was later buried at Oakwood Cemetery in Raleigh.  


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