At the beginning of May 1863, the 5th U.S. Cavalry’s regimental strength was 12 officers and 424 enlisted men in ten companies. Although authorized twelve companies, the regiment had not yet attempted to recruit and organize the other two. This was partly due to the need for heavy recruiting to make up the losses sustained at Gaines Mill the previous June. The regiment was commanded in May by Captain James E. Harrison.

All ten companies with the army participated in Stoneman’s Raid, and Captain Harrison’s official report on the raid will appear here next week. The monthly return shows only 130 unserviceable horses in the regiment, somewhat better than their sister regiments. Average company strength was only 42 of an authorized 95. Not a single company had its full complement of officers. Of the ten companies, two were commanded by captains, four by first lieutenants and four by second lieutenants. All four of the second lieutenants were former noncommissioned officers.

Source: NARA, Returns of Regular Army Regiments, 5th U.S. Cavalry, April 1863, images 335-337.