The companies of which it was composed were principally raised in the counties of Erie, Niagara, Wyoming, Orleans, Allegany and Wayne, and were mustered into the U. S. service from Oct., 1863, to Feb., 1864, for three years.

The regiment left the state in March, 1864; served as infantry attached to the 22nd Corps at and near Washington until May; then joined the Army of the Potomac, engaged in the Richmond Campaign, where it was first assigned to the Provisional Brigade, 1st division, and later to the 1st Brigade, 2nd Division, 9th Corps; saw its first fighting at Spotsylvania Court House; lost heavily at Cold Harbor where its casualties amounted to 64 killed, wounded and missing; and in the assaults on the Petersburg works in June it again suffered severely, having 18 killed, 82 wounded and 2 missing.

The regiment was now mounted and served with the 3rd Brigade, 2nd Cavalry Division (Crook's), Army of the Potomac, losing 33 killed, wounded and missing at Hatcher's Run and Nottoway Station.

It performed its full share during the campaign leading up to Lee's surrender at Appomattox, its casualties from March 28 to April 9, 1865, amounting to 62 killed, wounded and missing.

After the close of the war it served in the Department of Virginia until mustered out under the command of Lieut.-Col. Joseph H. Wood, at Petersburg on Aug. 10, 1865.