The regiment was organized at
Camp Cadwalader near
Philadelphia on 20 July 1864, under the command of printer and Volunteer officer Colonel Harmanus Neff; it had a total enrollment of 958. It was alternately known as the 5th Union League Regiment due to its being organized with the assistance of the
Union League of Philadelphia. A week after its organization, on 27 July, the 196th Pennsylvania was sent to
Camp Bradford at Mankin's Woods near
Baltimore, attached to the 3rd Separate Brigade of
VIII Corps. From there, it entrained for
Chicago in mid-August, where it guarded Confederate prisoners of war at
Camp Douglas. Company H was detached to perform
provost duty at
Springfield, Illinois on 26 August, and remained there until the end of its term. The regiment helped foil an escape on the night of 27 September by firing at outside sympathizers who had mobilized to facilitate the attempt. In early November, the regiment was sent back to Philadelphia, and left for brief service at
Fort Delaware on 5 November. It was mustered out at Philadelphia on 17 November, having lost ten men to disease during its service. == Notable personnel ==