The 27th New Jersey Infantry Regiment was recruited from various towns within Morris County, New Jersey and Sussex County, New Jersey, and was mustered into Federal service on September 3, 1862, in Newark, except Company G (Village of Boonton, then part of Pequannock Township) and Company I (Village of Morristown, Morris Township).

The regiment trained at Camp Frelinghuysen in Newark before being sent out to join the Army of the Potomac.

[1] When their term of service expired in June, the 27th volunteered to remain for 1 more month during the time of the "Pennsylvania Emergency", when Lee's army threatened the north.

Only the bodies of 7 of those that drowned were recovered and buried at the Mill Springs National Cemetery, Logan Cross Roads, Kentucky.

The monument honors all the brave soldiers who served on land and sea in defense of their country in any of the wars of the US.