The Third Regiment of New Jersey Volunteer Infantry was raised in May of 1861, when the tocsin of war rang clearly through the nation. Men from nearly every county in the state enlisted, and on June 28, with a compliment of 1,051 men, the regiment left Camp Olden, Trenton for the seat of war.
It was one of the regiments which comprised what was known as the “First New Jersey Brigade” and participated in every major action with the Army of the Potomac until June of 1864 when it was mustered out of service.
Men who reenlisted were transferred to the 15th Regiment and saw service until the end of the war.