Cumberland Valley Township near Bedford in Bedford County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Camp Mason & Dixon

Photographed By Don Morfe, November 10, 2015

1. Camp Mason & Dixon Marker

Inscription. From June 27-July 8, 1861 a newly formed brigade of 1,500 Union troops under Chas. J. Biddle consisting of the 5th and 13th (Bucktail Regiment) PA Reserves, and 1st PA Res. Artillery, encamped here while enroute to relieve Col. Lew Wallace’s 11th Indiana Regiment at Camp McGinnis in Federal occupied Cumberland, MD, a key Union Army railroad hub. Swampy ground, poor provisions and rampant illness resulting in two deaths, earned the site the appellation “Camp Misery and Despair”

The Reserves left Camp Curtin in Harrisburg June 22, moved by rail to Huntingdon and Hopewell, marched 23 miles by way of Blood Run (Everett), and bivouacked at Camp McCall near Bedford Springs. Proceeding through Centerville they arrived here, near the state line June 27 and was ordered to halt. Nearly two weeks passed at Camp Mason & Dixon before Federal consent was given to proceed into MD.

Tents were struck July 8, and Biddle’s troops occupied Wallace’s former post July 9. Bucktail scouting parties received the brigades “baptism of fire” July 14 while engaging the enemy at New Creek, VA. The brigade took positions in the Piedmont, Romney, and New Creek areas where several skirmishes ensued from July 15-27, when in pursuance of orders, they returned to Harrisburg.

Erected 2014 by Cumberland

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Valley Twp. Historical Society.

Topics. This memorial is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil.

Location. 39° 43.816′ N, 78° 42.743′ W. Marker is near Bedford, Pennsylvania, in Bedford County. It is in Cumberland Valley Township. Memorial is on Bedford Valley Road (US 220). The marker is near the Mason and Dixon Line separating Pennsylvania and Maryland. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Bedford PA 15522, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Pennsylvania (approx. 0.3 miles away); Washington’s Road (approx. 0.7 miles away in Maryland); Union Grove School (approx. 1.9 miles away in Maryland); Evart's Homesite (approx. 2.9 miles away in Maryland); American Indian Rockshelter Trail (approx. 3.4 miles away in Maryland); The Naming of the Lake (approx. 3.4 miles away in Maryland); Ellerslie Honor Roll (approx. 3½ miles away in Maryland); Life in Pleasant Valley (approx. 3.9 miles away in Maryland).

Photographed By Don Morfe, November 10, 2015

2. Camp Mason & Dixon Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on November 30, 2015, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. This page has been viewed 818 times since then and 42 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on November 30, 2015, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.