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.
Colored Infantry was organized at Camp William Penn in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, beginning September 22, 1863, and mustered in December 4, 1863, under the command of Colonel Charles W. Fribley.
Hawley's Brigade, Seymour's Division, District of Florida, Department of the South, to April 1864.
1st Brigade, 3rd Division, X Corps, Army of the James, Department of Virginia and North Carolina, to December 1864.
1st Brigade, 2nd Division, XXV Corps, and Department of Texas, to November 1865.
Colored Infantry mustered out of service November 10, 1865, and was discharged December 12, 1865, at Philadelphia.
Battle of Chaffin's Farm, New Market Heights, September 28–30.
Duty at Ringgold Barracks and on the Rio Grande, Texas, until November 1865.