5th South Carolina Cavalry Regiment

5th South Carolina Cavalry
Flag of South Carolina
Active	January 18, 1863 to May 3, 1865
Country	Confederate States of America
Allegiance	Confederate States Army
Branch	Cavalry
Type	Regiment
Engagements	American Civil War Battle of Grimball's Landing Bermuda Hundred Campaign Battle of Chester Station Battle of Swift Creek Battle of Proctor's Creek Overland Campaign Battle of the Wilderness Battle of Haw's Shop Battle of Cold Harbor Battle of Trevilian Station Beefsteak Raid Siege of Petersburg Carolinas Campaign Battle of Monroe's Crossroads Battle of Bentonville
Commanders
Notable commanders	Brig. Gen. Samuel W. Ferguson Brig. Gen. John Dunovant

American Civil War

The 5th South Carolina Cavalry, also known as "Ferguson's Cavalry Regiment", was Confederate States Army Cavalry regiment in the American Civil War.

The 5th South Carolina Cavalry was formed in January of 1863 when several independent cavalry commands were combined. These included the 14th and 17th South Carolina Cavalry Battalion, Capt. Robert J. Jeffords' and Capt. Wheeler G. Smith's Companies of the 1st South Carolina Militia Cavalry, Capt. Joseph Gist Harlan's Cavalry Company, and Capt. Louis A. Whilden's Company of the St. James Mounted Rifles. Forming in Charleston, the men elected Lieut. Col. Samuel W. Ferguson of the 28th Mississippi Cavalry, then recovering at home from a injury with his horse, as their colonel but Ferguson never commanded the regiment. Lieut. Col. Robert J. Jeffords then took temporary command of the regiment until John Dunovant, who served as major of the 1st SC Regulars, was appointed Colonel. Even though it was officially designated as a regiment the companies still served in independent commands along the South Carolina coast for several months.

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