From Sandy Hook, where it was encamped, the regiment embarked for Fortress Monroe on June 5, and was ordered to join the reserve during the battle of Big Bethel.

In May 1862, the regiment moved to Norfolk and Portsmouth and on June 7, was attached to the 3d brigade, 2nd division, V Corps, which it joined at Bottom's bridge on the Chickahominy.

It was active in the Seven Days' battles, encamped at Harrison's Landing until late in August, when it returned to Newport News, whence it was ordered to Manassas and fought bravely in the Second Bull Run, losing 115 men in killed, wounded and missing.

[7] A portion of the winter was spent in the performance of guard duty at headquarters and the original two years members not reenlisted were mustered out at New York on May 7, 1863.

By the end of the first full year of hard campaigning, the regimented returned 722 Model 1842 smoothbore percussion muskets to the Adjutant General.