The regiment was predominantly composed of Union Loyalists from North Carolina, but also included volunteers from Tennessee and several other states.

The 3rd North Carolina Mounted Infantry was formed by Special Order Number 44, on February 13, 1864, when Major General John Schofield ordered Major George W. Kirk to raise 200 men to; From June, 1864 until February, 1865, the 3NCMI was attached to the 2nd Brigade, 4th Division, 23rd Army Corps, Department of Ohio.

From March, 1865 until August, 1865 the regiment was attached to the 2nd Brigade, 4th Division, District East Tennessee, Department of the Cumberland.

Living up to their name as raiders a newspaper report at the time states the union soldiers robbed everyone present, stole all the horses and mules, and looted and divided the contents of the depot before burning it.

[8] William Waightstill Avery, a prominent North Carolina politician and lawyer, died from a wound he received in an encounter with Kirk's men shortly after the initial raid.

[12] On May 4, 1865, right after the Civil War ended, the Cherokee County Courthouse in Murphy, North Carolina, was burned down by raiders under Kirk’s command.