Organized at Camp Parapet, La., April 28, 1863, as the 1st Engineers, Corps d'Afrique, in August, 1863; part of the regiment formed the nucleus of the 3d Regiment of Engineers; designation of the 1st Engineers was changed to this regiment, April 4, 1864; was consolidated with the 87th, November 26, 1864, and formed the 86th and subsequently the 87th Colored Infantry (new).