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 in Nashville, Tennessee beginning December 12, 1863 and mustered in for three-year service under the command of Colonel William Rufus Shafter.
[note 1] The regiment was attached to Post of Murfreesboro, Tennessee, Department of the Cumberland, to April 1864.
1st Colored Brigade, District of the Etowah, Department of the Cumberland, to January 1865.
Post and District of Nashville, Tennessee, Department of the Cumberland, to April 1866.