The Eleventh Regiment was organized under the provisions of an Act of Congress, approved July 22,1861.
Recruiting for the Regiment was commenced in May, 1862, and continued until the issue of a call by the President of the United States, July 7, 1862, for three hundred thousand additional volunteers, to serve for three years. At this time about two hundred and fifty men had been recruited, and were encamped at Camp Perrine, Trenton, N.J. The next day, a telegram was received from the War Dept. in Washington, calling for five regiments of infantry from the State of New Jersey. The regiment was organized, officered and equipped by August 18,1862. It was mustered into the United States service at that time by Major Lewellyn Jones, of the First U. S. Cavalry. It left the State August 25, 1862 and reported at Washington, DC with 39 officers, 940 non-commissioned officers and privates, for a total of 979 men.
The regiment remained in Washington DC performing various duties, until Nov.16, when it was attached to the Brigade of General Carr, Sickles Division, Army of the Potomac. At different times during the year 1864, the strength of the Regiment was increased by the joining from Draft Rendezvous, Trenton, N. J., of a few recruits and a large number of substitutes. The regiment continued its organization and remained in active service until the close of the war.
They were mustered out near Washington, DC June 6, 1865. The Regiment was first attached to the First Brigade, Second Division, Third Corps, then finally to the third Brigade, Third division, Second Corps.