The 3rd North Carolina Infantry Regiment was a regiment of the Confederate States Army, formed shortly after the commencement of the American Civil War in May 1861.

The unit completed its organization at Garysburg, North Carolina, in May, 1861.

The men were volunteers from Wilmington and the counties of Green, Duplin, Cumberland, Onslow, Bladen, New Hanover, and Beaufort.

In July part of the regiment moved to Richmond, Virginia, where some weeks later it was joined by the remaining companies.

At the Battle of Gettysburg the unit suffered terrible casualties, losing forty percent of the 548 men engaged.