Organized to fight on horseback, the 5th Massachusetts Cavalry served with distinction in Virginia and Texas.
The 5th Regiment of Massachusetts Volunteer Cavalry was organized in the Commonwealth in early 1864. The unit arrived in Virginia and fought in the opening battles around the Confederate stronghold of Petersburg. After performing guard duty over prisoners of war in Maryland, the 5th returned to Virginia and had the honor of being among the first troops to ride into Richmond, the captured capital of the Confederacy. After the end of hostilities in Virginia, the regiment was transferred to Texas before returning to Massachusetts for discharge in November 1865.
Telegram authorizing the 5th Massachusetts Cavalry
This telegram from the War Department in Washington, D.C., authorized Governor John Andrew to enlist a regiment of African-American cavalry.
Massachusetts Archives
Photograph of the ruins of Richmond, Virginia
The capture of Richmond, the capital of the Confederacy, was an important victory for the North. When Confederate soldiers abandoned the city in 1865, they burned everything thought to be of military value, leaving much of the city in ruins.
Lawrence Collection, Courtesy of Medford Historical Society
Letter from Charles Francis Adams, Jr., describing the fall of Richmond
This letter from regimental commander Charles Francis Adams, Jr., great grandson of President John Adams, describes the honor bestowed upon the 5th Massachusetts Cavalry as it rode through the streets of Richmond.
Massachusetts Archives
Read a Transcription of the letter
Head Quarters 5th Mass. Vols. Cavy.
Richmond Va. April 5th 1863
His Excellency
John A. Andrew
Your Excellency
Deeming the entry of the regiments, which I have the honor to command, into the City of Richmond, as a part of the column which took possession of that City on the 3rd inst. an incident in the closing events of this war of suf-ficient moment to justifye[sic] special mention. I have the honor to submit to you the following report. I do so for the addi-tional reason that I believe this regiment was the only one from Mass. in that column & as it is the only recruited Reg. of Colored Cavalry East of the Alleghenies.
The last detachment of the Reg. arrived before Richmond from Point Lookout Md. late in the day where the whole Regt. had been stationed during the nine months previous, late in the day on Sunday April 2nd. At the same moment that it arrived orders were received to be in readiness for instant movement. Early in the morning of Monday the 3rd orders came for the provisional brigade of which it was a part, to move out on the Dark Town
Incidence of war – a Regiment of black Cavalry from the State of Massachusetts marching amid the wildest enthusiasm into the Capital of the State of Virginia. I am happy to be able to state that the conduct of the recruited portion of the Regiment on this occasion was most exemplary. not only were they guilty of no desorder[sic] or act of pillage, but not one man left his rank & not a single case of intoxication, even, came under my notice. Both in its appearance & conduct the Regiment did credit to itself & the Commonwealth.
I have the honor to be
Charles Francis Adams Jr
Col. Comg 5th Mass. Cavry.
Descriptive roll of the 5th Massachusetts Cavalry
As with other African-American regiments from Massachusetts, over one thousand men served in the 5th Massachusetts Cavalry. This roll provides personal information on soldiers at the 5th including their ages, occupations, and places of residence.
Massachusetts Archives
Charles Douglass was the youngest son of famed abolitionist Frederick Douglass. He was said to be the first soldier enlisted in the African-American regiments from Massachusetts. After briefly serving in the 54th Infantry, he was commissioned as a first sergeant in the 5th Cavalry. After his discharge from the Army in 1865, he moved to Washington, D.C., and played for the Mutuals, one of the first African-American baseball clubs. In later life he worked as a clerk in the Pension Office, and died in Washington, D.C., in 1920.
Sergeant Charles Douglass, 5th Massachusetts Cavalry
Courtesy of Moorland-Spingarn Research Center, Howard University Archives
Letter from Governor John Andrew recommending Charles Douglass for promotion
Charles Douglass received a personal recommendation from the Massachusetts governor for his position as an officer in the 5th Massachusetts Cavalry. Massachusetts Archives