An Introduction to the Fifth Regiment New Hampshire Volunteer Infantry

      In response to President Lincoln's call for volunteers, the Fifth New 
Hampshire Regiment was formed and commissioned by Governor Barry on 
August 27th, 1861, in Concord.  It's commander was Edward E. Cross of Lancaster, 
an adventurous and dynamic leader who established an innovative, 
mandatory school of drill and tactics for officers and NCOs.  
	On October 28th, 1861, the regiment was sworn into United States 
service and departed for Washington with 1,200 members. It was assigned to 
the First Brigade, First Division of the Second Army Corps.
	The Fifth was highly regarded in the Army of the Potomac as being
well drilled and led, and was often assigned to the most difficult positions. 
During it's three and a half years of service, the Fifth participated in 
many major engagements including Antietam, Fredricksburg, Gettysburg, Cold 
Harbor, the Petersburg siege and was also present at Lee's surrender at 
Appomattox. The price paid for this distinction was grim. The Fifth suffered 
more combat casualties, including Colonel Cross killed at Gettysburg, than
any other regiment.  
	Shortly after the Civil War, Lt. Col. William Fox studied the official 
records of all 2000 regiments in the Union Army and published the results in 
Regimental Losses in the American Civil War.  In his study Fox categorized 
300 regiments into what he termed "fighting regiments" which by his defini-
tion were those that had lost 130 or more members killed in combat.  Eight of 
those 300 are New Hampshire regiments and the number one New Hampshire 
regiment is the Fifth Regiment having 295 killed or died of wounds.  Fox 
writes "Sustained the greatest loss in battle of any infantry or calvalry 
regiment in the Union Army.  Known to the corps and division commanders as a 
reliable regiment, it was the most often called on to face the enemy's fire 
or assigned to the post of danger.
      Donald Richards published a concise history of the Fifth for the 
winter 1973 issue of Historical New Hampshire.  In his introduction he writes 
"In the late 1950's this writer had occasion to be in New York on several 
occasions. It was during this period that I met Bruce Catton, distinguished 
Civil War authority and then editor of American Heritage.  In one of our 
conversations Mr. Catton stated that he had never been able to determine 
which of two regiments was the most effective and courageous in the Union 
Army,  the Black Hats of Michigan (24th) or the Fifth New Hampshire 
Volunteers."	
	The 5th Regiment New Hampshire Volunteers (of today) is an incorporated, 
tax-exempt (non-profit), historical organization formed to promote, educate
and preserve the Civil War heritage of the State of New Hampshire and the
Nation.  The organization was formed in 1981 to portray the 5th New
Hampshire by a few local historians interested in establishing a Civil
War re-enactment group. The 5th New Hampshire is also a charter member unit 
of the National Regiment, an umbrella organization which brings 
together some of the best Federal reenactment units in the East and 
provides staff and command structure. There are also two other units that have 
associate membership in the 5th NH and therefore have access to "fall-in" with 
us during drills and larger reenactments; these units are the 
14th Connecticut and the 3rd Vermont Infantry (Vermont Civil War Hemlocks).
We also work closely with the 6th New Hampshire (located in the Monadnock Region of NH) and the 12th New Hampshire (located in the Lakes Region of NH).
      Our membership is made up of dedicated men from all walks of
life who participate in re-living history by doing "military impressions"
of those men who served so gallantly in the 5th NHV more than 130 years ago. 
Members are historians with a passion to learn through experience and study
in order to educate the public about the life and times of a common soldier.
Impressions done by it's members represent the life style and equipment of an  
authentic Union Civil War Infantry Regiment.  During these historical im-
pressions an Officer/NCO rank structure governs all activities with adherence
to military protocol and chain of command.  While the impression is primary
military, the interests and pursuits include every aspect of American
social life of that period.
      The membership is serious about the preservation of our historical 
heritage and extend an invitation to the public to share in our comradery
and a wealth of historical information.  To accomplish these goals, the 5th 
NHV participates in parades, historic battle re-enactments, living history 
encampments, public ceremonies, presentations and seminars and other local
events throughout New Hampshire and the surrounding states. The 5th NHV has
a cadre of members available for lectures and presentations on every day
life of the common soldier.  Topics of instruction include: food, clothing,
weaponry, equipment, Army organization and life experiences of that time.
Speakers are authentically dressed and equipped to provide an eduacational
and entertaining program that can be tailored for your specific needs.
	Authentically uniformed and equipped as Federal Infantry, the group 
strives to portray New Hampshire's premier volunteer regiment. Additionally, 
many of the wives, friends and family members enhance the overall historical 
impression with their involvement in period roles. These enthusiastic 
citizens have organized the New England body of the US Sanitary Commission, 
and based on that original organization, have taken the title of the 
Concord Ladies Aid Society.
	The 5th is more than a group of men in uniform who reenact battles.  
Through the concept of living history interpretation and presentation, 
they attempt to reveal a wide spectrum of Civil War era history.  
Topics presented at historical societies, schools, and living history 
events range from drill and tactics to the soldiers life in camp and 
on the march.  Their many activities have taken them around the state, 
throughout New England, and as far south as Virginia and North Carolina.
	We are principally centered in New Hampshire but have many members from 
the other New England states of Vermont, Massachussets, Connecticut and Maine. 

	Interested in joining our ranks? Click on our "Recruit Page" to see 
what is involved in becoming a member. Want to know more about the original 5th NH? 
Click on our "History Page". Learn more about and see pictures of some men that lead 
the 5th NH in our "Photographic Gallery". Visit our new website at: "www.fifthnhvol.org"!