The regiment was organized in Elmira, New York and was mustered in for a three-year enlistment on October 27, 1862; it was composed of companies from Chemung, Steuben, Schuyler, Chenango and Broome Counties.

During this time, a typhoid epidemic caused many deaths, with subsequent desertions both at Elmira and in New York City.

The spring 1863 attack on Port Hudson and the battle at Donaldsonville caused many casualties; illness at New Iberia caused many deaths while the autumn attack on Sabine Pass resulted in many captured.

At the Battle of Sabine Cross Roads, many were wounded and captured, while in the summer many deaths from chronic diarrhea occurred at Morganza.

New recruits again arrived in the fall, while the beginning of 1865 saw a steamboat accident with drownings and injuries.