Large section of a Civil War Parrott artillery shell, recovered at Devil’s Den, Gettysburg (SOLD,MW)

This is another nice item being offered, which is out of a Gettysburg collection I acquired a while back; it is large bottom section of an exploded Civil War Parrott 10-pounder artillery shell. It measures approximately 4” high with a diameter of 3”. This relic was recovered many years ago at Devil’s Den and still has the old tag still attached by the digger.

At Devil’s Den there is a creek known as “The Valley of Death”. The official name of the creek running through the Valley of Death between Devils Den and the Round Tops is Plum Run, but it gained its second name after the slow stream ran red with the blood of fallen soldiers for a few hours in July 1863.

With the heavy rain on July 4th, 1863, it overflowed the banks and drowned some wounded men who had not been collected yet – reportedly all Confederates. The valley was littered with so many bodies that it was over a week after the battle ended before the fallen men could all be buried.

Devil’s Den relics are very hard to come by – being that now it is illegal to dig on the Gettysburg battlefield, now, most of the surviving relics are in museums or private collections. It was found at one of the most famous locations on the battlefield.  In my book “Battle of Gettysburg – The Relics, Artifacts & Souvenirs”, I discuss and show many pieces from this area (see pictures). A certificate of authenticity will be provided with this artifact.