5th Georgia Cavalry Regiment

The 5th Georgia Cavalry Regiment was a cavalry regiment in the Confederate States Army during the American Civil War. Composed of enlistees from the state of Georgia, it served entirely in the Western Theater of [the American Civil War|Western Theater].

History

The regiment was formed on January 20, 1863, by combining the 1st Battalion, Georgia Cavalry and the 2nd Battalion. However, the regiment was not officially mustered into service until May 17, 1863, and was subsequently sent to South Carolina and parts of Georgia to defend against Union incursions.
In late August 1863, the regiment was sent to South Carolina and assigned to the command of General P.G.T. Beauregard. They fought at Johns Island, Charleston, Green Pond, and other engagements in the area. The 5th Cavalry remained in South Carolina until ordered back to Savannah on May 13, 1864. En route, these orders changed, and the 5th Georgia Cavalry rode to join General Joseph Wheeler and the Army of Tennessee. After joining Wheeler’s forces, the regiment traveled to Atlanta. They participated in the defense of the city and the wider Atlanta campaign, suffering significant casualties. They saw combat in several major subsequent engagements, including the Kennesaw Mountain, Buckhead, Big Shanty, Chattahoochee River, and Decatur. Their last documented skirmish was the Battle of Morrisville Station on April 13-14, 1865. The regiment surrendered in Hillsboro, North Carolina, on April 26, 1865.
James Lord Pierpont served as a private in Company H.

Companies of the Fifth Georgia Cavalry

A - "Georgia Hussars"
B - "Chatham Light Horse"
C - "Blue Cap Cavalry"
D - "Liberty Guards"
E - "Bulloch Troop"
F - "Screven Troop"
G - "Liberty Independent Troop"
H - "Mounted Rifles"
I - "Effingham Hussars"
K - "McIntosh Light Dragoons"