Susquehanna Township in Harrisburg in Dauphin County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Camp McClellan

16th and 17th Pennsylvania Cavalry

— National Civil War Museum —

Camp McClellan wayside image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Larry Gertner, July 30, 2026

1. Camp McClellan wayside

Inscription.
Camp McClellan was established in Harrisburg on what is now the grounds of the National Civil War Museum in November, 1862. The 16th and 17th Pennsylvania Cavalries moved to Camp McClellan from Camp Simmons on November 12, 1862, and in two weeks’ time, were shipped to Washington DC, on November 25, 1862. The location of this camp had long been a mystery until the recent discovery of a November 21, 1862, newspaper article in the Philadelphia Inquirer, which noted the camp adjoined the farm of a Mr. Raysor (Keysor) on the Jamestown Road.

These two regiments, organized in Harrisburg in late 1862 were under the direction of two experienced cavalrymen. The 16th Pennsylvania Cavalry was under the command of Colonel John Irving Gregg, cousin of Union Cavalry (sic) General Davil McMurthrie Gregg. John Gregg hailed from Bellefonte, Pennsylvania, and had served as a captain in the 11th U.S. Infantry in the Mexican War. He stood 6’4” tall and was called “Long John” by the men who served under his command. He served in various roles prior to commanding the 16th Pennsylvania Cavalry. Gregg was the colonel of the 5th Pennsylvania Reserves,

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a commander of the 6th U.S. Cavalry, and then the colonel of the 16th Pennsylvania Cavalry. He would fight with the unit at Chancellorsville, the Battle of Brandy Station and at the battle of Gettysburg. The 17th Pennsylvania Cavalry was commanded by West Point graduate, Colonel Josiah H. Kellogg of Erie, Pennsylvania. Kellogg was another seasoned veteran serving as a captain the 1st U.S. Cavalry in the Peninsula Campaign. He would receive a promotion to colonel and then sent to Harrisburg to take command of the 17th Pennsylvania Cavalry at Camp McClellan. Likewise, the 17th Pennsylvania Cavalry would fight with the 16th at Chancellorsville, Brandy Station and Gettysburg. These sole Camp McClellan units would prove valuable to the war effort and would serve through the end of the Civil War! General Robert Milroy also used Camp McClellan in June 1863 for one of his wagon trains that narrowly missed capture at Winchester! Additionally, the 18th Pennsylvania Cavalry was situated in Camp Gowen during the same period (named for Lieutenant Colonel James E. Gowan) and was located near Camp McClellan.

Erected by Camp Curtin Historical

John I. Gregg image. Click for full size.

via Wikipedia, unknown

2. John I. Gregg

Society/CWRT.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. A significant historical month for this entry is June 1863.

Location. 40° 16.317′ N, 76° 51.344′ W. Marker is in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, in Dauphin County. It is in Susquehanna Township. It is on Lincoln Circle. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1 Lincoln Cir, Harrisburg PA 17103, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in South-Central Pennsylvania, specifically in Pennsylvania Dutch Country,

and in the Susquehanna Valley.

It is also in the American Northeast

and in the Mid-Atlantic.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy

and also one of the original Thirteen Colonies.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Moment of Mercy (a few steps from this marker); Bishop McDevitt High School (about 700 feet away, measured in a direct line); Mansion at Reservoir Park (approx. 0.2 miles away);

Josiah H. Kellogg image. Click for full size.

via Rutgers, unknown

3. Josiah H. Kellogg

Explore the Capital Area Greenbelt (approx. 0.2 miles away); Reservoir Park (approx. ¼ mile away); Harrisburg (approx. ¼ mile away); Bellevue Park (approx. 0.3 miles away); Breeze Hill (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Harrisburg.

Also see . . .
1. 16th Pennsylvania Cavalry Regiment. Wikipedia entry (Submitted on August 22, 2026, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)

2. 17th Pennsylvania Cavalry Regiment. Wikipedia entry (Submitted on August 22, 2026, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)

3. National Civil War Museum. Website homepage (Submitted on August 22, 2026, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)

The National Civil War Museum image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Larry Gertner, August 2, 2026

4. The National Civil War Museum

The wayside is at the right of entrance.

Credits. This page was last revised on August 22, 2026. It was originally submitted on August 22, 2026, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. This page has been viewed 11 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on August 22, 2026, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.