The 1st North Carolina Regiment was organized September 1, 1775 with men from the Wilmington District and the Salisbury District. It included ten (10) companies and was considered to be NC Provincial Troops.

On November 28, 1775 the Continental Congress ordered both North Carolina regiments reorganized on the new Continental eight-company structure, and this was completed by January 4th, 1776. It was now officially on the Continental Line.

On February 27, 1776, the 1st NC Regiment was assigned to the Southern Department. On February 5, 1777, it was reassigned to the Northern Department. On July 8, 1777, it was assigned to the NC Brigade, an element of the Northern Department.

On June 1, 1778, it was reorganized to consist of nine (9) companies.

On July 19, 1779, the NC Brigade, including the 1st NC Regiment, was reassigned to the Highlands Department. The NC Brigade was then reassigned on November 11, 1779 to the Southern Department and all regiments were marched to Charlestown, SC.

May 12, 1780, the 1st NC Regiment surrendered 278 men to the British Army at the Fall of Charlestown, SC.

Reconstituted from April to July of 1781, with detachments being hurriedly sent to South Carolina to support Maj. Gen. Nathanael Green. As men were recruited, they were assembled and marched southward, usually with no uniforms and with no arms or ammunition. Ultimately, the 1st NC Regiment again became part of the NC Brigade (one and only one), an element of the Southern Department.

The regiment was furloughed on April 23, 1783 at James Island, South Carolina and officially disbanded on November 15, 1783.