When one thinks of Gettysburg, visions of cannon fire, blue-clad lines, and the thunderous clash of 1863 spring to mind. Similarly, John Baniszewski’s Joseph and The Devil, the inaugural volume in his Stories from the Devil’s Den series, takes readers beyond the battle’s carnage into a world where history and the supernatural collide.

Anchored in meticulous research and guided by Baniszewski’s own experience as a Licensed Battlefield Guide, this gripping novella will haunt your dreams long after you turn the final page.

Blood, Betrayal, and the Unquiet Dead

Joseph and The Devil opens in the spring of 1863, as the specter of Robert E. Lee’s Army of Northern Virginia looms over south-central Pennsylvania. Joseph and his sister Ruth, both African-American free citizens, find themselves tethered to their ailing mother’s bedside only 400 yards from the rocky outcropping known as Devil’s Den.

When the Confederates and Union soldiers collide on July 2, the Den’s centuries-old Spirit awakens, and an even darker presence stirs in the night: Satan himself.

Baniszewski writes two narratives. First, he chronicles the Demon King’s grim commerce: under cover of darkness, Satan fills stolen canteens of spring water and trades each precious drop for the souls of wounded soldiers, tallying his infernal score in fiery runes on a hidden cave wall.

Then, in stark human contrast, we follow Joseph’s tragic odyssey, his mother’s death, Ruth’s kidnapping by Confederate patrols, and the siblings’ forced march toward bondage in the Deep South. Against horror, Joseph clings to the pastor’s words: “No matter what, you must always have faith that God’s love will allow you to overthrow those foul spirits.”

Why This Story Stands Apart

• Authentic Setting: As a Licensed Battlefield Guide who’s led over 3,000 Gettysburg tours, Baniszewski knows every crevice of Devil’s Den. His stark descriptions transport you from the sun-scorched boulders to the hush of that moonless night when evil gathers.
• A blend of History and Supernatural: Unlike conventional historical fiction, Joseph and The Devil plunge into the otherworldly yet never lose sight of civilians and soldiers’ suffering.
• Standalone Power: You need no prior knowledge of the series. This novella is self-contained, with a beginning that grips you and an ending that resonates with both horror and a glimmer of hope.
• Emotional Depth: From Joseph’s agonized love for his sister to the maniacal delight of Satan at human despair, Baniszewski explores the dualities of faith and fear, courage and cowardice, and life and death.

Story of Resilience and Redemption

While the forces of darkness threaten every page, Joseph and The Devil is not without light. Joseph’s unwavering devotion to Ruth and his refusal to abandon hope even in the valley of death offer a testament to the resilience of the human spirit.

In every turn of fate, whether guided by divine whispers or the malign touch of the Devil, Baniszewski reminds us that even on the bloodiest battlefield, compassion and courage can prevail.

Takeaway

Joseph and The Devil is your next must-read if you crave a novel that marries nail-biting suspense with rich historical detail. Perfect for lovers of ghost stories, Civil War buffs, and anyone fascinated by tales of supernatural intrigue set in the stark reality of human conflict. Grab your copy today, dare to stand in the shadows of Gettysburg, and learn why some spirits never rest.