This memorial honors defenders of the Union in the wars of 1776, 1812, the Civil War of 1861-1865, and the Spanish-American War, naming individuals who served in the Revolutionary War, the War of 1812, and numerous Civil War and later units, including the 21st, 49th, 64th, 72nd, 90th, 112th, and 154th New York Volunteers, the 15th New York Engineers, the 9th New York Cavalry, the 68th New York State Militia at Gettysburg, the 111th Pennsylvania Volunteers, and other New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Missouri, Connecticut, and U.S. Army, Navy, artillery, cavalry, engineer, militia, and infantry organizations, with service connected to Antietam, Fort Fisher, Cold Harbor, Gettysburg, and other Civil War actions.