The regiment was mustered into the army at Camp Mason in Alamance County, North Carolina in August 1861.

Its companies were raised in Iredell, Alexander, Cabarrus, Rowan, New Hanover, Mecklenburg, Nash, and Wake counties.

It initially served in garrison duties in North Carolina, where it fought in its first engagement at the Battle of New Bern on March 14, 1862.

The regiment then transferred to the Army of Northern Virginia, where it became part of A. P. Hill's Light Division.

It fought with the Army of Northern Virginia throughout the war until February 1865, when it was transferred back to North Carolina.