Following the establishment of Arlington National Cemetery in 1864, the grounds were enclosed. Several gates provided pedestrian and vehicular access. The main entrance to the cemetery was located where the McClellan Arch currently towers 30 feet above the roadway.

McClellan Gate completed 1879.  Original gate to Arlington National Cemetery, "Meigs" inscribed on it.Atop the arch facing east, the word "McClellan" is inscribed in gold. Below inscription reads:

HERE REST 15,585 OF THE 315,555 CITIZENS WHO DIED
IN DEFENCE OF OUR COUNTRY FROM 1861 TO 1985

ON FAME'S ETERNAL CAMPING GROUND THEIR SILENT TENTS ARE SPREAD,
AND GLORY GUARDS WITH SOLEMN ROUND THE BIVOUAC OF THE DEAD

The west face of the arch is inscribed with the words:

REST ON EMBALMED AND SAINTED DEAD, DEAR AS THE BLOOD YE GAVE,
NO IMPIOUS FOOTSTEPS HERE SHALL TREAD ON THE HERBAGE OF YOUR GRAVE.

Peters, James Edward. Arlington National Cemetery: Shrine to America's Heroes. Woodbine House, 2000.

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