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's battle flag was designed by African-American ornamental artist and portraitist David Bustill Bowser, and was "one of the first widely viewed, positive images of African Americans painted by an African American," according to historians at the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission.

Montgomery's Brigade, District of Hilton Head, S. C., 10th Corps, to February, 1864.

[6] Siege of Forts Wagner and Gregg, Morris Island, S. C., August 20 – September 7, 1863.

Moved to Hilton Head, S. C., thence to Jacksonville, Fla., February 5–7, and duty there as Heavy Artillery till May, 1865.

Duty at Tallahassee, Lake City and other points in Florida May to October, 1865.