Jesse Segoine was authorized on July 18, 1862, to begin recruiting a regiment of men within the Cayuga and Wayne Counties, New York.

As Segoine was able to raise the men, he received a commission of Colonel and commander of this, the 111th New York Infantry Regiment.

The regiment was raised in almost a month's time, and mustered into service in Auburn, New York, on August 20, 1862.

Ten officers and 210 men were killed and mortally wounded in battle.

The total of 220 men who were killed and died of wounds is only exceeded by four other New York regiments — the 69th, 40th, 48th and 121st.