*On this date in 1864, the 5th Regiment Massachusetts Colored Volunteer Cavalry was formed. This cavalry regiment from Massachusetts served in the Union Army during the American Civil War.
The regiment was organized at Camp Meigs, Readville. From May 12, 1864, it served dismounted and equipped as infantry until the war's end. The regiment fought at Baylor's Farm during the Second Battle of Petersburg and the Siege of Petersburg. The regiment lost 123 enlisted men; enlisted men; 7 were killed or mortally wounded; 116 enlisted men died of disease. Prince Romerson, Joshua Dunbar, and George Lawrence Mabson were Notable soldiers and officers.
The regiment was ordered to Texas on August 1, 1865. Under the leadership of Col. S. E. Chamberlain, late of the 1st Mass. Cavalry became colonel of the 5th and did much to improve the condition of the regiment. The prospect of trouble in Mexico had ended, and the regiment was mustered out of federal service at Clarksville, Texas, on October 31, 1865. It immediately started for Massachusetts, making most of the trip by steamer.
When it arrived in Boston Harbor, the regiment landed at Galloup's Island, where it remained until the latter part of November, when it was paid off and discharged.
