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.
The regiment was attached to Montgomery's Brigade, District of Florida, Department of the South, February 1864.
2nd Brigade, Vogdes' Division, District of Florida, Department of the South, to April 1864.
2nd Brigade, Coast Division, Department of the South, to December 1864.
(Four companies detached on Expedition to James Island, S.C., July 1–10.
Ordered to Charleston, S.C. Duty there and at various points in the Department of the South until June 1866.