The Regiment was authorized on March 26, 1776 in the Continental Army as the 4th North Carolina Regiment and assigned to the Southern Department. Relieved on February 5, 1777 from the Southern Department and assigned to the Main Continental Army. It was assigned on July 8, 1777 to the North Carolina Brigade, an element of the Main Continental Army. Reduced to a cadre on June 1, 1778 at Valley Forge, Pennsylvania and relieved from the Main Continental Army and assigned to the Southern Department. Reorganized in fall 1778 at Halifax to consist of 9 companies. It was assigned on January 11, 1779 to Sumner's Brigade, an element of the Southern Department. Sumner's Brigade re-designated on June 3, 1779 as Armstrong's Brigade. Captured on May 12, 1780 at Charleston, South Carolina, by the British Army. Disbanded on January 1, 1783.