The 1st Infantry Regiment was one of twelve New York State National Guard units federalized for service in the Spanish-American War. The 1st NYSV Regiment was composed of a baffling array of battalions and companies from various National Guard posts. The regiment incorporated the four companies of the 10th battalion, the 5th, 14th, 15th, and 24th Separate Companies of the 12th Battalion, the 3rd, 20th, and 33rd Separate Companies of the 17th Battalion, and finally the 44th Separate Company. These disparate units were organized into a more streamlined regimental format of twelve companies. These units were recruited from all over the upstate regions of New York State. Companies A, B, C, and D were all part of the 10th Battalion and came from the Albany area. Companies E, F, G, H, I, K, L, and M were recruited from the Utica, Walton, Oneonta, Binghamton, Middletown, Poughkeepsie, Newburgh, and Kingston areas respectively. The regiment was officially mustered into service and designated the “1st Regiment Infantry, New York Vols.” on May 20th, 1898.

Upon its formation the regiment remained in camp and various garrison duties for over a month until July 7th, 1898 when the soldiers entrained and were transported to California in preparation for duty overseas. By July 14th, the regiment had arrived in full in California and was stationed at Camp Merritt. Upon arrival on the West Coast, the regiment was assigned to the First Brigade, Independent Division of the Eight Army Corps. On August 6th, the first units of the regiment embarked bound for Honolulu. The regiment would be transported in pieces over the month of August and finally arrived in full on September 3rd. The unit was assigned to garrison duty on Honolulu where it remained until December when it was recalled to San Francisco. On February 26th, 1899 it was officially mustered out. The regiment had suffered no combat casualties, losing men only to transfer and disease.