Gettysburg Artwork Day 2-Devil's Den

[Gettysburg Greg]

Of the three-day Battle of Gettysburg, I would have to say that Day 2, July 2nd is my favorite, not to impugn the other two, of course. That is the day that a wheatfield, a peach orchard, a jumble of rocks and a rocky hill were written into history as THE Wheatfield, THE Peach Orchard, Devil's Den and Little Round Top. Apparently, most CW artists also find Day 2 as the most interesting of the three days because there have been many times more prints produced depicting Day 2 events than Days 1 and 3 combined. Therefore, I will only be selecting a few of my favorite prints from Day 2 to publish on this, the 163rd anniversary. Below is "Devil's Den" by Bradley Schmehl which depicts the 17th Georgia fighting through Devil's Den on the evening of July 2, 1863. The modern view on the bottom matches up with the print very well. Notice the artist chose to show the top of the Devil's Den witness tree peeking up over the rocks exactly where you see the tree in the modern photo.

 

[FZ11]

It's about that time! Lee: "No, General, I wish it placed just the opposite."

 

[bankerpapaw]

"Worst ground I ever saw!!"

 

[FZ11]

Longstreet: "There is nothing in your front; You will be entirely on the flank of the enemy." McLaws: "Then I will continue my march in columns of companies, and after arriving on the flank as far as is necessary will face to the left and march on the enemy." Longstreet: "That suits me."

 

[FZ11]

Longstreet: "We must obey the orders of General Lee." Hood: "Fix bayonets, my brave Texans; forward and take those heights!"