The 5th United States Colored Cavalry was a regiment of the United States Army organized as one of many "Colored" units during the American Civil War. The 5th USCC was one of the more notable "black" fighting units and it was officially organized, after its first two battles, in Kentucky in October 1864. It was commanded by Colonel James Brisbin until February 1865, when he took over the 6th US Colored Cavalry. His executive officer, Louis Henry Carpenter then commanded the regiment until March 20, 1866. The regiment was composed of ex-slaves, freedmen, and slaves. Many "white" officers from the unit were later assigned to the famed "Buffalo Soldiers" cavalry units. Many former USCC soldiers (later called troopers) volunteered for further service after their Civil War units were retired.
Read more about 5th United States Colored Cavalry: Organization, The Battle of Saltville and The 5th USCC, Stoneman’s 1864 Winter Raid, Ambush At Simpsonville, End of The 5th USCC, Battles of The 5th USCC
Famous quotes containing the words united, states, colored and/or cavalry:
“The real charm of the United States is that it is the only comic country ever heard of.”
—H.L. (Henry Lewis)
“If the Union is now dissolved it does not prove that the experiment of popular government is a failure.... But the experiment of uniting free states and slaveholding states in one nation is, perhaps, a failure.... There probably is an “irrepressible conflict” between freedom and slavery. It may as well be admitted, and our new relations may as be formed with that as an admitted fact.”
—Rutherford Birchard Hayes (1822–1893)
“There are three kinds of people:
White people, Colored people
and Black people.”
—Peter Abrahams (b. 1919)
“To fight aloud is very brave,
But gallanter I know,
Who charge within the bosom
The Cavalry of Woe.”
—Emily Dickinson (1830–1886)