Organized at New York City and mustered in May 7, 1861. Left State for Washington, D. C., April 29, 1861. Duty at Washington May 2-23. Occupation of Arlington Heights and Alexandria, Va., May 24 (Ellsworth killed). Duty near Alexandria till July 16. Attached to Willcox's Brigade, Heintzelman's Division, McDowell's Army of Northeast Virginia. Advance on Manassas, Va., July 16-21. Occupation of Fairfax Court House July 17. Battle of Bull Run July 21. Duty in New York Harbor and in Westchester County, N. Y., September-October, 1861, and at Newport News, Va., Dept. of Virginia, to May, 1862. Action between Monitor and Merrimac in Hampton Roads March 8, 1862. Duty at New York May 7 to June 2. Mustered out June 2, 1862. Efforts failed to effect a new organization of this Regiment, known as the J. T. Brady Light Infantry, in summer of 1863, and the men enlisted were transferred to the 17th New York Veteran Infantry October 1, 1863.

Regiment lost during service 3 Officers and 48 Enlisted men killed and mortally wounded and 3 Officers and 12 Enlisted men by disease. Total 66.