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Fifth regiment Massachusetts Cavalry.
（1)
Col. Henry S. Russell.
（2)
Col. Charles F. Adams.
（3)
Col. Samuel E. Chamberlain,
Bvt. Brig. Gen. U. S. Vols.
| | | companies. |
| Field and staff. | Line | A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | K | L | M | Recruits. | Totals. |
| Number on regimental rolls,— |
| Officers, | 13 | 48 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | 61 |
| Enlisted men,1 | 7 | – | 104 | 117 | 115 | 109 | 108 | 108 | 113 | 107 | 111 | 111 | 104 | 110 | 1 | 1,325 |
| Totals, | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | 1,386 |
| Enlisted men (included above) serving elsewhere within regiment. | – | – | – | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | – | – | – | – | – | – | 1 | – | 5 |
| Actual total of members of regiment,— |
| Officers, | 13 | 48 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | 61 |
| Enlisted men,2 | 7 | – | 104 | 116 | 114 | 108 | 107 | 108 | 113 | 107 | 111 | 111 | 104 | 109 | 1 | 1,320 |
| Totals, | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | 1,381 |
The 5th Cavalry, the only regiment of colored cavalry organized in
Massachusetts, was recruited in the
autumn and
winter of 1863 and 1864, and in three battalions left the
State from May 5 to 8, 1864.
The 1st Battalion, comprising Cos. A, mustered Jan. 9, 1864, and B, C and D, mustered January 29, in command of
Maj. Horace N. Weld, reached
Washington May 7, and on the 13th, serving as infantry, joined the brigade of colored troops at Camp Casey. Cos. E, mustered February 10, F, February 23, G and H, mustered in March, formed the 2d Battalion, commanded by
Maj. Z. B. Adams; and with the 3d Battalion comprising Cos. I, mustered March 26, K and L, mustered in April, and M, on May 5, joined the 1st Battalion, at Camp Casey before the 14th of May.
On the 16th the regiment was assigned to the 3d Division, 18th Army Corps, and, equipped as infantry, was stationed at
City Point, Va., serving in detachments, in reconnoitring expeditions and picket duty.
The most severe engagement in which the regiment took part occurred at Baylor's Farm, on the
Petersburg Road, in June;
Colonel Russell being wounded here, the command was assumed by
Maj. H. P. Bowditch.
For a time the regiment was a part of
Hincks' Division,
Wild's Brigade, 18th Army Corps, and was on duty before
Petersburg; but on June 29 it was assigned to the 10th Corps, and was stationed at
Point Lookout, Md., during the remainder of the year.
In February, 1865, under
Colonel Adams,
Colonel Russell having resigned, the regiment took part in the siege of
Petersburg, and after the surrender encamped in the vicinity of
City Point until June, when it was ordered to
Clarksville, Tex.; here it remained until Oct. 31, 1865, when it was mustered out of service, having been since August 1 under command of
Col. Samuel E. Chamberlain.
After its muster out the regiment returned to
Massachusetts, and in the latter part of November, 1865, was paid off and discharged at
Boston.
