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 February 7, 1864 for three-year service under the command of Colonel George W. Baird.
2nd Brigade, Coast Division, Department of the South, to December 1864.
Moved to Morris Island, S.C., and duty there operating against Charleston, S.C., until November.
Garrison duty at Charleston, Beaufort, and Hilton Head, S.C., until August.