View attachment 73868 The man in the middle back row is Pvt. Patrick Weldon Co. B 5th Michigan Cav. He is my wifes G G Grandfather.Yeah I married a Yankee and it sure makes for some interesting conversations when I visit my in laws
Organized: Detroit, MI on 8/30/62
Mustered Out: 6/22/65 at Fort Leavenworth, KS
Total enrollment...........................................1866
Number killed in action.....................................101
Number died of wounds........................................24
Number died while prisoners of war...........................69
Number died of disease......................................109
Number discharged for disability............................196
Source: Record of Service of Michigan Volunteers 1861-65
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Report of Col. Russell A. Alger, Fifth Michigan Cavalry.
HEADQUARTERS FIFTH MICHIGAN CAVALRY,
Near Stevensburg, Va., September 19, 1863.
LIEUTENANT: I have the honor to report to you the following
statement of the part taken by the Fifth Michigan Cavalry from
September 12 to 15, inclusive:
September 12, left Berea Church, Va., at 12 m., pursuant to orders
from Brigadier-General Custer, and proceeded to near Kelly's Ford,
where we arrived at 9 p. m. and bivouacked for the night.
September 13, resumed our march at 6 a. m., crossing the ford,
the Fifth Michigan being in advance of brigade. Proceeded about
1 mile, when we were ordered into line of battle. At 10 a. m.
resumed our march until within about 3 miles of Culpeper
Court-House, when we received orders to dismount and act as skirmishers
through a dense piece of woods on our left flank, filled with the
enemy's sharpshooters, which we did and succeeded in driving them
and wounding and capturing 1 prisoner. We were then ordered
to remount, and proceeded toward Culpeper Court-House, when
within about a mile of that place we were again met by a strong
force of the enemy, and received orders to dismount and drive them
from the field. Skirmishing all the way into town we arrived there
at 2 p. m.; passed through, and halted about a mile beyond the town.
Resumed the march until 8 p. m., when we bivouacked about 3 miles
northeast of Culpeper Court-House.
September 14, resumed the march at 7 a. m. toward Raccoon Ford,
Va., arriving near there about 10 a. m., and supporting dismounted
skirmishers the rest of the day.
September 15, encamped in piece of woods one-half mile in rear of
the ford.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
R. A. ALGER,
Colonel, Commanding.
Lieut. J. W. NEWTON,
Acting Assistant Adjutant-General.
Source: Official Records
CHAP. XLI.] ADVANCE OF THE UNION FORCES, ETC. PAGE 124-48
[Series I. Vol. 29. Part I, Reports. Serial No. 48.]
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Reports of Col. Russell A. Alger, Fifth Michigan
Cavalry, including operations May 4-July 3.
HDQRS. FIFTH MICHIGAN CAVALRY,
July 8, 1864.
LIEUT.: Obeying orders received from brigade headquarters
dated July 6, 1864, I have the honor to submit the following report of
the part taken by this regiment in the operations of the brigade from
May 4 to May 25, inclusive:
May 4, moved from camp near Culpeper to Stony Mountain.
May 5, moved at 3 a. m., crossed the Rapidan River at Ely's Ford, to
near Chancellorsville; picketed road leading to Todd's Tavern.
May 6, moved at 3 a. m. on the road leading to Todd's Tavern, where
we arrived at 8 a. m. The enemy's cavalry appearing between our
position and the left of the infantry line we moved back about 2 miles,
where we met Rosser's and a portion of Jones' rebel cavalry brigades.
The line of battle formed, this regiment occupied the center, the First
Cavalry on the right, the Seventh the left, the Sixth being sent to attack
the enemy's left. When the engagement had lasted about one hour I
received an order to join the Sixth Cavalry, commanded by Maj. Kidd,
which was obeyed, and after a severe contest, lasting about half an
hour, during which time the balance of the brigade engaged him in his
front, the enemy was driven from the field, leaving his dead and a
portion of his wounded in our possession. In this engagement Lieut.
Sabin, of Company K, was severely wounded in the thigh. A note found
on the field written by the rebel surgeon-in-chief, asking for
transportation for wounded, says: "We have many killed and 60 more
wounded than we have transportation for." Moved back on
Chancellorsville road about 3 miles in the evening. 7th, moved back to
position occupied yesterday; regiment ordered to take position on right
of line. Found it occupied by the enemy, charged, and drove him out.
Some slight skirmishing during the day. About 6 p. m. regiment, with
brigade, moved near Todd's Tavern; joined the right of Second
Division. Enemy was found in force, attacked, and routed. Occupied
position of the day during the night. 8th, moved toward Spotsylvania
Court-House and back on Fredericksburg road
below Chancellorsville and encamped. 9th, moved with corps via
Massaponax Church toward Beaver Dam Station; arrived at Chilesburg
4 p. m. Brigade ordered to move down to attack and destroy station and
trains. Moving rapidly toward station, First Michigan in advance, came
upon and recaptured between 300 and 400 of our prisoners (infantry)
taken by the rebels at Spotsylvania, with rebel guard and a large wagon
train. Arriving at station, assisted in capturing and burning three large
train, two locomotives, and a large amount of hospital, commissary, and
quartermaster's stores; included in the latter were ninety-five army
wagons. The Richmond Dispatch estimated the rebel loss here at
$10,000,000. 10th, ordered to Green Bay on picket. In morning, slight
skirmishing; recalled at 11 a. m.; marched to and crossed the South
Anna at Ground Squirrel Bridge and encamped for night. 11th, moved
down the Richmond road, crossing the Richmond and Fredericksburg
Railroad at Negro Foot Station, destroying road; moved to Yellow
Tavern, on Brook turnpike, where we met Stuart's cavalry in force.
Regt. was dismounted here and ordered to the left of the road, to
drive the enemy from a piece of woods which they occupied on the
opposite side of a large open field. Charging across the field, under a
heavy fire, the enemy was driven from his position across a ravine.
Here my loss was quite heavy. Reforming the line, the Sixth Michigan,
Maj. Kidd, having joined me, I received an order from the general
commanding the brigade to charge the enemy in my front and right, as
he was going to charge a rebel battery stationed on the right of the road.
This order executed, and arriving at a point commanding a hill in rear
of the rebel battery, my attention was called by Capt. Judson, of this
regiment, to an officer, accompanied by a large staff and escort,
carrying a battle-flag, who was just coming on to the hill from the rear.
This officer was shot from his horse by Private John A. Huff, Company
E, formerly of Berdan's Sharpshooters. He was immediately carried to
the rear by his staff. About thirty minutes later the hill was carried, and
a woman and negro informed me that Gen. Stuart had been shot on
the hill mentioned, and first brought to their house and afterward carried
away in an ambulance. Rebel accounts agree with the statements made
by this woman and negro; also what was seen by us. In this engagement
the brave Capt. Axtell, of Company A, was severely, it was feared
mortally, wounded, and left at a citizen's house near the battle-field;
also Lieut. Mothersill, Company A, and Lieut. Stevenson,
Company F, were slightly wounded; neither left the field. At 11 p. m.
we marched toward Richmond. 12th, arrived in front of Richmond. At
daylight was ordered to cross the Chickahominy River at Meadow
Bridge, which had been destroyed by the rebels upon our approach, and
was held by them. Dismounting, we drove them from their first
position. Crossing upon the railroad bridge, the enemy was driven back
about half a mile into his entrenchments upon a hill. Here the Sixth
Cavalry was sent forward for support. Finally the brigade came up,
when the enemy was flanked and routed, leaving his dead and number
of prisoners in our hands. Owing to a dense wood which we used for
cover, although the engagement lasted over an hour, our loss was
comparatively light. In this engagement the rebel Gen. Rodes lost an
arm, and has since died of his wounds.* (* Rodes was killed at Opequon, Va.,
September 19, 1864.)
Moved to Gaines' Mill, where we encamped, picketing the Richmond
road. 13th, moved to and encamped near Bottom's Bridge; picketed road
to Gaines' Mill. 14th, crosses Chickahominy at Bottom's Bridge; moved
to Malvern Hill. 17th, moved at 9 p. m. toward White House. 18th,
arrived at Baltimore Cross-Roads 12 mm. 20th, marched with brigade
to Hanover Court-House; destroyed two railroad bridges and some
track; moved back about 7 miles and encamped. 21st, went back to
Hanover Court-House; drove a rebel picket from the town. Was ordered
to move with regiment, supported by First Cavalry, Lieut.-Col.
Stagg, to ascertain the strength of the enemy at and, if possible, destroy
the railroad bridge crossing the South Anna River. After some
skirmishing, and finding a strong force of infantry, cavalry, and
artillery, I reported the fact to the general commanding, who ordered
me to return. Moved back to within 4 miles of White House and
encamped. 22d, crossed the Pamunkey at White House. 23d, marched
via Aylett's to and encamped near Herring Creek. 24th, marched to
Concord Church. 25th, marched to Chesterfield Station. Joined Army
of the Potomac.
Although this campaign has been a severe and fatiguing one, the
regiment has not lost the services of a man from disease. I regret to
report that Private John A. Huff, Company E, the man mentioned who
wounded Gen. Stuart, has recently died of wounds received at Haw's
Shop on the 28th of May. He was forty-eight years of age, head
belonged to Berdan's Sharpshooters two years, won the first prize as the
best shot in his regiment, been discharged and enlisted in this regiment
at Armada, Mich., last winter, where he resided.
Annexed hereto I forward a list of casualties in the regiment during the
time given, the total of which is killed, 8; wounded, commissioned
officers, 5; enlisted men, 29; missing, 3.
I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
R. A. ALGER,
Col., Cmdg.
Lieut. L. W. BARNHART,
A. A. A. G., First Brig., First Div., Cavalry Corps.
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HDQRS. FIFTH MICHIGAN CAVALRY,
In the Field, July 9, 1864.
LIEUT.: Obeying orders received 6th instant from brigade
headquarters, I have the honor to make the following report of the part
taken by this regiment in the operations of the brigade from May 26 to
June 30, 1864:
May 26, regiment moved with brigade from Wright's Tavern, near
Milford Station, to Hanovertown Ferry, on Pamunkey River. 27th,
crossed river and moved toward Hanover Court-House. Met the enemy's
cavalry, Maryland Battalion; drove them back near to Hanover
Court-House, with brigade, capturing a number of prisoners. Encamped
on the field during the night. 28th, about 2 p. m., ordered with brigade
forward to support Gen. Gregg's division, which was already
engaging the enemy near Haw's Shop. Brigade being dismounted and
formed in line of battle on the left side of and perpendicular to the road,
this regiment forming on the left of the line, the command moved
forward and became immediately hotly engaged. The ground over which
the regiment passed was covered with pine shrubs, affording no
protection from the fire of the enemy, who was posted in heavy timber
and on high ground directly in our
front. Charging these woods, the enemy, after an obstinate resistance,
fighting our men hand-to-hand, was driven from them with great loss.
Here it was ascertained that the enemy's line had been broken, and a
portion of the regiment moving forward so as to gain a position in the
enemy's broken line, covering a field through which he was falling
back, a deadly fire was poured in upon him, killing and wounding a
large number. The line reformed, upon forward, taking up a position on
a ridge, which it held. In this engagement Capt. Oliphant, Company
B, was mortally, and Lieut. C. Y. Osburn, acting adjutant,
Lieut. Brewer, Company G, and Lieut. Mothersill, Company
A, were severely wounded; Capt. Dodge, Company C, slightly.
Moved back to New Castle Ferry in the evening. 30th, moved to Old
Church Tavern, where brigade met and
defeated Young's cavalry. 31st, moved to Cold Harbor, where the
enemy was found posted behind works, which the regiment participated
in charging and capturing, together with quite a number of prisoners and
a large number of arms. Enemy's loss heavy. Occupied works until
morning, June 1, when we were relieved by infantry.
June 1, moved to Prospect Church. 2d, marched to Bottom's Bridge.
4th, marched to Haw's Shop. 5th, marched to New Castle Ferry, on
Pamunkey River. 7th, regiment numbered about 300 men for duty;
crossed Pamunkey at 8 a. m.; First and Second Divisions, commanded
by Maj.-Gen. Sheridan, marching in the direction of Gordonsville.
10th, command arrived uninterrupted at a place about 8 miles north
From Louisa Court-house; brigade moving to a point about 3 miles from
Louisa Court-House and about the same distance from Trevilian Station,
and encamped. 11th, regiment moved in advance of brigade at 8 a. m.,
by an unfrequented road, toward Trevilian Station, the Third Battalion,
commanded by Capt. Hastings, as advance guard. The enemy's
skirmishers were soon engaged, and so rapidly were they driven back
upon his reserves, which were upon the Gordonsville and Louisa
Court-House road, about 1 mile from Trevilian toward Louisa
Court-House, that before he could form to meet us I received an order
from Gen. Custer, who, with staff, was riding in rear of advance
guard, to charge. The regiment was immediately closed up, and,
charging down the Gordonsville road, the enemy was found in force.
After a desperate resistance for a moment he was routed, and the fight
became a running one, kept up for a distance of 4 miles. In this charge
about 800 prisoners, 1,500 horses, 1 stand of colors, 6 caissons, 40
ambulances, and 50 army wagons, were captured, and men left guarding
them. Many prisoners broke their arms upon surrendering. In this
charge I was accompanied by Capt. Brewster, commissary of
subsistence, and Lieut. Stranahan, aide-de-camp, of Gen.
Custer's staff, the latter of whom was sent back with information for
the general as soon as the enemy was routed. After charging about 3
miles Capt. Brewster was sent back to ask for support, and soon
returned to me, reporting the enemy in heavy force between us and the
brigade; also, that they were attacking my men who had been left
guarding prisoners and horses. Moving back rapidly, I came upon the
enemy in large force, who had come in upon my right, attacked and
captured many of my men, and were engaging the brigade in front. I
also discovered from the firing that the brigade was attacked in the rear
and its left. Having but 40 men, with Capt.'s Magoffin,
Judson, Hastings, and Rolls, and Lieut. Safford, acting adjutant,
and Lieut. Lonsbury, I moved to my then right, and entered a
narrow strip of woods. Here the enemy were moving on each side of
and very near us. A rebel officer seeing us, rode into the woods and
asked, "What command do you belong to?" Capt. Judson answered,
"Hampton's." "All right," was the reply, and he joined his column. We
were, however, soon discovered and attacked, when we moved off in
the direction of Louisa Court-House, where we encountered a column
of the enemy, which we charged through, leaving 28 men in the woods
cut off from us. Passing near the Court-House, we came into our lines
near the place where we encamped the night before, traveling a distance
of over 20 miles. In this engagement Lieut. Pendleton, regimental
commissary, was taken prisoner. Before the engagement Lieut.
Allen, Company E, had been sent to guard a road intersecting the line
of march; also Capt. Dodge, Company C, both joining the brigade;
also Capt. Drake and Lieut. Stevenson, who were cut off from
the command charging down a road leading to the right of the main one.
both escaped with portions of their commands and reported to the
general commanding. In this engagement my loss was very heavy in
prisoners captured while guarding prisoners, together with the greater
portions of the captures made by the regiment. 12th, brigade moved
down the Gordonsville road; found enemy in heavy force stationed
behind works. A portion of the regiment was engaged, during which
time Capt.'s Hastings and Dodge were severely wounded and
Lieut. Haire slightly. 13th, moved back toward White House. 20th,
arrived at White House, coming via Spotsylvania Court-House and King
and Queen Court-House. 22d, marched toward James River. 24th,
regiment marched to Westover Church; on picket. 25th, marched to
Wilcox's Point, on James River. 28th, crossed river and encamped near
Wind Mill Point. 29th, marched to Prince George Court-House. 30th,
marched to Jerusalem plank road, running south from Petersburg. July
3, arrived at our present camp near Light-House Point on James River.
The 28 men cut off from my column near Louisa Court-House
abandoned their horses, and after remaining in the woods two days,
started on foot, via Morton's Ford, on the Rapidan, for Alexandria,
where they arrived after a week's hard marching. The whole distance
was made in the night, they secreting themselves in the woods during
the day, subsisting upon a very small about of corn meal, obtained from
negroes. Their names are not among the missing in the list affixed, but
reported separately.
I regret very much to report the death of Capt. Oliphant, wounded at
Haw's Shop, May 28. Always ready to do his duty, fearless of self in
danger, generous and kind to all, he had won the highest esteem from
all who knew him. I commend to your favorable notice those officers in
the list of wounded and missing, but no less those who have been spared
to remain with the regiment for duty, or the list of the brave men given
in the report of killed, wounded, and missing. I also have the pleasure
to bring to your favorable notice the efficient services of Capt.
Magoffin, who commanded the regiment during my absence on account
of illness, from May 22 to June 1. I forward herewith a list of casualties
in the regiment for the time given. Loss of regiment for time included
in report: Officers wounded: Mortally, 1; severely, 5; slightly, 2;
missing, 1. Enlisted men: Killed, 12; wounded, 52; missing, 135. Making a total
loss of regiment, including report heretofore made, from May 4 to July
1: Commissioned officers: Died of wounds, 1; wounded, severely, 8;
slightly, 6; missing, 1. Enlisted men: Killed and died of wounds, 29;
wounded, not including those who have died, 72; missing, 239.
I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
R. A. ALGER,
Col., Cmdg.
Lieut. L. W. BARNHART,
A. A. A. G. First Brig., First Div., Cavalry Corps.
Source: Official Records
PAGE 827-67 OPERATIONS IN SE. VA. AND N. C. [CHAP. XLVIII.
[Series I. Vol. 36. Part I, Reports. Serial No. 67.]
The man in the middle back row is Pvt. Patrick Weldon Co. B 5th Michigan Cav. He is my wifes G G Grandfather.Yeah I married a Yankee and it sure makes for some interesting conversations when I visit my in laws
Bringing the