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 was organized at Little Rock, Arkansas, April 23 to November 8, 1864, as the 5th Regiment Arkansas Volunteer Infantry (African Descent) and assigned to the VII Corps (Union Army).

14 Department of Arkansas, dated February 1, 1865, from Little Rock, included the 112th United States Colored Infantry is reported as belonging to the 2nd Brigade of the 1st Division of the 7th Army Corps.

[3] The regiment was attached to 2nd Brigade, 1st Division, 7th Corps, to April, 1865.

The regiment was assigned to post and garrison duty at Little Rock, Ark., entire term.