Confederate Regiments & Batteries * Louisiana
The 5th Louisiana Infantry enrolled 1,074 men during the Civil War. Of these, 161 were killed or died of their wounds, 66 died of sickness, 2 in accidents, 1 was murdered and 1 was executed. One hundred eighteen were known to have deserted and 32 took the Oath of Allegiance.
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1861
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| May | Organized in at New Orleans |
| June 4 | Mustered in for the duration of the war under Colonel Theodore Hunt, Lieutenant Colonel Henry Forno and Major William T. Dean. |
| Moved to Virginia and assigned to the Department of the Peninsula | |
| December | Three men were killed in two separate duels. |
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1862
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| April | The regiment mustered 744 men |
| May | Assigned to Semmes’ Brigade of McLaws’s Division |
| May 1- August 31 | During this four month period the regiment suffered 98 desertions, One 55 man company lost half its men. |
| July 27 | Transferred to Hays’ (formerly Taylor’s) Louisiana Brigade of Ewell’s Division in Jackson’s Command. |
| July 31 | Colonel Hunt resigned. Lieutenant Colonel Forno was promoted to colonel, Major Dean was promoted to lieutenant colonel, and Captain Bruce Menger of Company I was promoted to major. |
| August 29 |
Second Battle of ManassasThe regiment lost 27 men. Colonel Forno was wounded while temporarily commanding the brigade |
| September 17 |
Battle of Sharpsburg (Antietam)The regiment lost 50 men. It was commanded by Colonel Henry Forno. Major Menger and Captain Alexander Hart were wounded. |
| Late 1862 | Lieutenant Colonel Dean left on sick leave and did not return to the regiment. |
| December 13 |
Battle of Fredericksburg |
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1863
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| January | Captain Alexander Hart of Company E was promoted to major. |
| May 1-4 |
Second Battle of Fredericksburg (Chancellorsville Campaign)The 5th Louisiana lost 53 men. Lieutenant Colonel Menger was wounded |
| May | Colonel Forno was transferred to Mobile, Alabama on recruiting duty, possibly as a result of being passed over for promotion. Major Alexander Hart commanded the regiment. |
| June 13 |
Second Battle of WinchesterHay’s Brigade circled around the west side of Winchester and assaulted the Star Fort on the northwest side of town. The 6th, 7th and 9th were in the front line with the 5th and 8th in support as the brigade stormed the fort, capturing its artillery and driving off the defenders. |
| July 1-3 |
Battle of GettysburgThe regiment was commanded by Major Alexander Hart and brought 196 men to the field. It lost 7 men killed, 30 wounded and 30 captured. Major Hart was wounded, and Captain F. Richardson was killed in the fighting on July 1. From the monument to Hays’s Brigade at Gettysburg: July 1. Advancing at 3 P. M. with Hoke’s Brigade flanked Eleventh Corps aided in taking two guns pursued retreating Union troops into town capturing many and late in evening halting on East High St. July 2. Moved forward early into the low ground here with its right flank resting on Baltimore St. and skirmished all day. Enfiladed by artillery and exposed to musketry fire in front it pushed forward over all obstacles scaled the hill and planted its colors on the lunettes capturing several guns. Assailed by fresh troops and with no supports it was forced to retire but brought off 75 prisoners and 4 stands of colors. July 3. Occupied a position on High St. in town. July 4. At 2 A. M. moved to Seminary Ridge. After midnight began the march to Hagerstown. |
| September 14 | Picketed Raccoon Ford on the Rapidan River. |
| October |
Bristoe Campaign |
| November 7 |
Battle of Rappahannock StationThe regiment was part of two brigades defending a bridgehead on the north bank of the Rappahannock River that was overrun in a rare night attack. Over 1,600 Confederate prisoners were taken from the eight understrength regiments defending the bridgehead, with only a few men swimming across the river to escape. Of the 1200 men of Hays’ Louisiana Brigade, 699 were captured. Out of the 122 men of the 5th Louisiana under Captain J.G. Angell only 1 captain answered roll call after the attack. |
| November-December |
Mine Run Campaign |
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1864
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| March | 500 of the 699 men from the brigade captured at Rappahannock Station were exchanged and returned to duty |
| May 5-6 |
Battle of the Wilderness |
| May 12 |
Battle of Spotsylvania Court HouseLieutenant Colonel Menger was killed in the defense of the Muleshoe. |
| June 1864 |
Early’s Shenandoah Valley CampaignAssigned to Hays’ Brigade (Colonel William R. Peck commanding) of Brigadier General Zebulon York’s Consolidated Louisiana Brigade in Gordon’s Division of the Army of the Valley |
| July 9 |
Battle of MonocacyCommanded by Major Alexander Hart |
| September 19 |
Third Battle of WinchesterMajor Hart was captured. |
| September 21-22 |
Battle of Fisher’s Hill |
| October 19 |
Battle of Cedar Creek |
| October | The ten regiments of the Louisiana brigade were reorganized as a battalion of six companies with less than 500 men, although it would continue to be referred to as a brigade. Colonel Raine Peck (at 6’3″ and 300 pounds known as “Big Peck”) was given command of the brigade. |
| November 16 | Major Hart was exchanged and returned to the regiment. |
| December | The regiment left the Army of the Valley and returned to the Petersburg defences with the remnants of the Second Corps |
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1865
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| January-March |
Siege of Petersburg |
| February 5-7 |
Battle of Hatcher’s Run |
| February 18 | Colonel Peck promoted to brigadier general and transferred to the Western Theater. Colonel Eugene Waggaman of the 10th Louisiana was given command of the brigade of 400 men |
| March 25 |
Battle of Fort Stedman |
| April 2 |
Final Assault on Petersburg |
| April 6 |
Battle of Sayler’s Creek |
| April 9 |
Appomattox Court HouseThe 5th Louisiana Infantry surrendered 1 officer and 18 men. The entire brigade only had 373 men. |