Camp Harlan - Mt. Pleasant, IA - American Civil War Monuments and Memorials on Waymarking.com

TEXT on the historical marker mounted on the rock:

This marks the site of
Camp Harlan
used as a training camp by
the 4th Iowa Cavalry and
the 25th Iowa Infantry
during the Civil War.

Dedicated by
Belle Coddington Tent No. 34
Daughters of Union Veterans
of the
Civil War 1861-1865

June 8, 1930

TEXT ON THE HISTORCAL SIGN NEXT TO THE ROCK
Camp Harlan
With the assistance of Senator James Harlan, the War Department authorized a military training camp at Mount Pleasant in October of 1861. The first recruits began arriving that September at Camp Harlan, which was designated as a cavalry training post for the Fourth Iowa Volunteer Cavalry. Twelve companies had been mustered by November 23, 1861 with 1086 men and officers. These first recruits found only an open meadow and piles of lumber to be used for barracks construction, with the people of the county providing food and blankets. The first companies left by train on February 25 when the Fourth Iowa received orders to move to Benton Barracks, St. Louis, Missouri.

Starting in August, 1862 a second regiment was organized, the 25th Iowa Volunteer Infantry, with the military post now called Camp McKean. Ten companies were mustered on September 27, 1862 with a strength of 972 men. After training under the command of Colonel George A. Stone, the first units left for St. Louis early in November.

Nine soldiers died while on duty at Camp Harlan and Camp McKean. They are buried in Forest Home Cemetery.

Date Installed or Dedicated: 06/08/1930 Name of Government Entity or Private Organization that built the monument: Belle Coddington Tent No. 34 Daughters of Union Veterans of the Civil War 1861-1865 Union, Confederate or Other Monument: Union Rating (1-5): Related Website: [Web Link] Photo or photos will be uploaded.: yes

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Date Logged Log User Rating   03/20/2023 Don.Morfe visited it