It was first organized as the 1st Alabama Volunteer Infantry Regiment (African Descent) in May 1863, serving on garrison duty at Corinth, Mississippi and Memphis, Tennessee.

It was redesignated as the 55th United States Colored Infantry in March 1864, continuing its garrison service in Tennessee and fighting at the Battle of Brices Cross Roads.

After the Emancipation Proclamation, runaway slaves began pouring into Corinth and the Union forces occupying the town were compelled to feed and shelter them.

In November 1862, the Federal commander, Brigadier General Grenville M. Dodge decided that the former slaves, called contrabands, needed a protected campsite.

He made the contraband camp official in December 1862, giving James M. Alexander, the chaplain of the 66th Illinois Infantry Regiment authority over it.

[1] Finally, in the spring of 1863, Dodge, commander of the District of Corinth, received permission to raise one or two regiments of African Americans, and by 19 May a total of 600 men had been recruited.

[4] Picket posts manned by the 1st Alabama were located at the Hamburg, Glendale, Clear Creek and Danville Roads on the eastern approaches to Corinth.

[10] Between 1 and 13 June 1864 the 55th USCI participated in Brigadier General Samuel D. Sturgis' expedition into Mississippi as part of the 3rd Brigade of its Infantry Division.

From April the 55th USCI served in the District of Port Hudson on garrison duty at Baton Rouge and other locations in Louisiana until it mustered out on December 31.