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 William Penn near Philadelphia, Pennsylvania beginning January 3, 1864 for three-year service under the command of Colonel Gustavus A. Scroggs.

The regiment was attached to Defenses of New Orleans, Louisiana, Department of the Gulf, May to July 1864.

Vessel sprung a leak off Cape Hatteras and put into harbor at Beaufort, North Carolina.

Duty there in the defenses, under Gen. Wessells, until April, then proceeded to New Orleans, arriving May 1.