5th Regiment, South Carolina Cavalry (Ferguson's)

United States   U.S. Military    South Carolina    South Carolina Military    South Carolina in the Civil War    South Carolina Civil War Confederate Units 5th through 14th      5th Regiment, South Carolina Cavalry (Ferguson's)

Brief History
5th Cavalry Regiment (also known as Ferguson's Regiment, Dunovant's Regiment, and the "Fighting Fifth") was organized in January, 1863, by consolidating the 14th and 17th Battalions South Carolina Cavalry. For a time it served in the Department of South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida, then in March, 1864, moved to Virginia, assigned to Butler's Brigade. The 5th Cavalry surrendered with the Army of Tennessee 26 April 1865. Also involved in the consolidation were Captains Harlan's and Whilden's Independent Companies, South, Carolina Cavalry.

Companies in this Regiment with the Counties of Origin
Men often enlisted in a company recruited in the counties where they lived though not always. After many battles, companies might be combined because so many men were killed or wounded. However if you are unsure which company your ancestor was in, try the company recruited in his county first.


 * Company A (may have been called the St. Matthews Troop) - Orangeberg District (St. Matthews Parish and Elloree) - Roster
 * Company B (also known as the Dixie Rangers) - Charleston and Beaufort Districts; a few came from Abbeville, Barnwell and Marlboro Districts - Roster
 * Company C - (also known as kthe Beech Hill Rangers) - Colleton District (Beech Hill Section, St. Paul's Parish) - Roster
 * Company D (also known as South Carolina Rangers) - Charleston, Beaufort, Colleton District; a few came from Orangeburg, Edgefield, Greenville, Fairfield, and Marion Districts - Roster
 * Company E (also known as the St. James Mounted Riflemen) - Charleston and Georgetown Districts - Roster
 * Company F (also known as the Lexington Light Dragoons) - Lexington District (Dutch Fork) - Roster
 * Company G (also known as the Willington Rangers) - Charleston District; a few from Beaufort and Richland Districts - Roster
 * Company H (also known as the Santee Guerillas) - Sumter and Clarendon Districts - Roster, Roster
 * Company I - Barnwell District, Orangeburg and Barnwell (Springfield) Districts; a few from Lexington and Edgefield Districts - Roster
 * Company K (also known as the Mountain Rangers) - Spartanburg and Union Districts; a few from York, Newberry, Greenville, Richland, Fairfield, Laurens and Chester Districts - Roster
 * Company B - Dismounted Battalion (Stud Horse) - Roster
 * Field and Staff

(Sources for nicknames and counties of origin: )

Additional Source Material

 * Civil War Soldiers and Sailors System can be searched by soldier's name or by regiment; includes regimental rosters and additional history of the regiment. This site uses Joseph H. Crute's book, Units of the Confederate States Army, as their main source for the regiment history., WorldCat.
 * Compiled Service Records of Confederate Soldiers Who Served in Organizations from the State of South Carolina. Microfilm publication M267. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Services, 1958. These records have been indexed and digitized and are available at Footnote.com (A subscription website, but is available for use at the Family History Library and some Family History Centers). It has digital Civil War soldier service records and brief regiment histories (located at the bottom of some of the muster rolls). (Accessed December 2010)
 * "5th Cavalry Regiment". The War for Southern Independence in South Carolina. Eastern Digital Resources an Internet site, accessed 12/01/2010. Lists a brief Regiment History and Company H Roster.
 * 5th SC Cavalry Regiment 1861-1865. Compiled by Lewis F Knudsen, Jr. Internet site, accessed 12/16/2010. This site gives a history of this military unit (5th SC Cavalary Regimental History), its engagements and lists the rosters, counties, and nicknames.
 * "South Carolina Cavalry - Fifth South Carolina Cavalry Regiment". South Carolina's Service in the War Between the States, Steve Batson’s Internet site, accessed 12/01/2010. This website also lists officers of the regiment and companies; and battles the regiment was involved in. The site gives the county of organization and nicknames listed.
 * "5th SC Cavalary Regiment, 1861-1865". Compiled by Lewis F. Knudsen Jr. eHistory Internet site, accessed 12/17/2010. Site contains an excellelnt history of the unit, Regiment rosters by surname, information about the companies, counties of orgin, nicknames, and battles involved in.
 * "CSA - 5th South Carolina Cavalry". Roberts Family Tree Internet site, accessed 12/17/2010. Site gives a brief history of the unit.
 * 5th SC Cavalary Regiment. eHistory Archive. Internet site, accessed 12/30/2010.  Gives a brief history of this regiment.
 * Hewett, Janet B., ed. Supplement to the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies. Wilmington, North Carolina: Broadfoot Pub. Co., c1994-2001. . Lists officers, companies, some nicknames for the companies and dates involving the company and places where they were stationed. There are 10 Companies (A-I, K) listed.
 * Mulligan, Alfred B. My dear mother &amp; sisters : Civil War letters of Capt. A.B. Mulligan, Co. B 5th South Carolina Cavalry--Butler's Division--Hampton's Corps 1861-1865. Edited by Olin Fulmer Hutchinson, Jr. Spartanburg, South Carolina : Reprint Company, 1992, c1991. . Worldcat
 * Seigler, Robert S. South Carolina's Military Organizations During the War Between the States. Charleston, South Carolina: The History Press, c2008, 227-238. . This book has an overview about the creation of the military units for service during the Civil War. There are four volumes which are divided into areas of the State. There is information about the different military units including dates of organization and service, company officers, battle engagements, company names and places of origin, and a few pictures. This book is also available through other libraries.