The regiment was composed of African American enlisted men commanded by white officers and was authorized by the Bureau of Colored Troops which was created by the United States War Department on May 22, 1863.

Colored Infantry was organized at Camp Craney Island, Virginia beginning November 18, 1863 and mustered in for three-year service under the command of Colonel Spencer H. Stafford.

1st Brigade, Hincks' Colored Division, XVIII Corps, Army of the James, Department of Virginia and North Carolina, to June 1864.

Moved to Drummondstown, eastern shore of Virginia, and duty there until April.

Butler's operations on the south side of the James River and against Petersburg and Richmond May 4 to June 15.