U.S. Colored Troops 5th Regiment Cavalry

HISTORICAL NOTES:

This regiment is not to be confused with the 5th Massachusetts Colored Cavalry. The 5th United States Colored Cavalry was one of the more notable black fighting units. It was officially organized in Kentucky in October 1864, after its first two battles. It was commanded by Colonel James Brisbin until February 1865, when he took over the 6th US Colored Cavalry. His executive officer, Louis Henry Carpenter, commanded the regiment until 20 March 1866.

The regiment was composed of ex-slaves, freedmen, and slaves who had escaped to Union lines. Many white officers from the unit were later assigned to the famed Buffalo Soldiers cavalry units who operated during the Indian Wars in the West. Many USCC soldiers (later called troopers) volunteered for further service after their Civil War units were retired.

The Regiment lost during service 35 Enlisted men killed and mortally wounded and 1 Officer and 151 Enlisted men by disease. Total 187. OFFICERS:

James Sanks Brisbin

Louis Henry Carpenter

ASSIGNMENTS:

Attached to 1st Division, District of Kentucky, Dept. of Ohio, to February, 1865.

Military District of Kentucky and Dept. of Arkansas, to March, 1866.

BATTLES: 1864

2 October - Saltville, Virginia - Battle of Saltville I

21 October - Harrodsburg, Kentucky - an engagement

12 December - Hopkinsville, Kentucky - an engagement

13 December - Kingsport, Tennessee (flanking movement & skirmishing)

17–18 December 1864, Marion, Virginia - Battle of Marion

20–21 December - Saltville, Virginia - Battle of Saltville II 1865

25 January - Simpsonville, KY - an ambush

BIBLIOGRAPHY:

Dyer, Frederick H. A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion. Vol. 2. Cartersville, GA: Eastern Digital Resources, 2003.

Rigdon, John C. US Colored Troops Civil War Soldiers Index. Cartersville, GA: Eastern Digital Resources, 2011.

REFERENCES:
Dyer, Frederick H. - A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion
The Union Army by Federal Publishing Company, 1908 - Volume 1