The 5th South Carolina Cavalry, also known as "Ferguson's Cavalry Regiment", was

Confederate States Army The Confederate States Army, also called the Confederate Army or the Southern Army, was the military land force of the Confederate States of America (commonly referred to as the Confederacy) during the American Civil War (1861–1865), fighting ...

Cavalry regiment in the

American Civil War The American Civil War (April 12, 1861 – May 26, 1865; also known by other names) was a civil war in the United States. It was fought between the Union ("the North") and the Confederacy ("the South"), the latter formed by states ...

Formation and Early Service

The 5th South Carolina Cavalry was formed in January 1863 when several independent cavalry commands were combined. These included the 14th and 17th South Carolina Cavalry Battalions, Capt. Joseph Gist Harlan's Cavalry Company, and Capt. Louis A. Whilden's Cavalry Company (St. James Mounted Riflemen). Lt. Col. Samuel W. Ferguson of the 28th Mississippi Cavalry, then recovering at home in Charleston from an injury received when he fell from his horse, was appointed colonel of the regiment. However, Ferguson's appointment was never confirmed, and he returned to his command in Mississippi without ever joining the regiment. In his absence, Lieut. Col. Robert J. Jeffords took temporary command of the regiment until John Dunovant, previously dismissed as major of the 1st SC Regulars, was appointed colonel in July 1863. Although officially designated a regiment, the companies remained dispersed at various locations along the South Carolina coast.

Transfer to Virginia

In March 1864 the 5th was ordered to assemble in Virginia, which they completed in April. WIP

References

Units and formations of the Confederate States Army from South Carolina 1861 establishments in South Carolina Military units and formations established in 1861 {{AmericanCivilWar-unit-stub

Formation and Early Service

Transfer to Virginia

See also

References