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 Baltimore, Maryland beginning March 22, 1864 for three-year service under the command of Colonel Ozora P. Stearns.
The regiment was attached to 1st Brigade, 4th Division, IX Corps, Army of the Potomac, to September 1864.
2nd Brigade, 3rd Division, Terry's Provisional Corps, Department of North Carolina, to March 1865.
2nd Brigade, 3rd Division, X Corps, Department of North Carolina, to August 1865.
Guarded supply trains of the Army of the Potomac through the Wilderness and to Petersburg.
Boydton Plank Road, Hatcher's Run, October 27–28.
Duty at various points in the Department of North Carolina until December.