The 46th was part of the Army of Northern Virginia from its initial muster through the end of the war, seeing action in the major eastern campaigns in Virginia and Maryland in 1862.

General John George Walker's after-action report, the 46th "did good service."

Joined to Ransom's Brigade, the regiment held the Woods "for the greater portion of the day, notwithstanding three determined infantry attacks, which each time were repulsed with great loss to the enemy, and against a most persistent and terrific artillery fire, by which the enemy hoped, doubtless, to drive us from our strong position — the very key of the battle-field.

"[1] After Fredericksburg, the 46th was shifted to garrison duty in South Carolina until June 1863, in that month being reassigned to northern Virginia.

They returned north too late to participate in Gettysburg, but were back in the ranks of the ANV for the Bristoe Campaign of October, 1863.