5th New York Cavalry Regiment

5th Regiment New York Volunteer Cavalry
5th NY Cavalry monument at Gettysburg
Active	November 18, 1861, to July 19, 1865
Country	United States
Allegiance	Union New York
Branch	Union Army
Type	Cavalry
Size	Regiment
Engagements	American Civil War 1862 Battle of Front Royal (2 co.) First Battle of Winchester First Battle of Rappahannock Station Second Battle of Bull Run 1863 Battle of Hanover Battle of Gettysburg Battle of Williamsport Battle of Mine Run 1864 Battle of the Wilderness Battle of Spotsylvania Court House Battle of Cold Harbor Battle of Sappony Church First Battle of Ream's Station Third Battle of Winchester, Battle of Tom's Brook Battle of Cedar Creek 1865 Battle of Waynesboro, Virginia Battle of Five Forks Battle of Appomattox Station Battle of Appomattox Court House
Commanders
Colonel	Othniel De Forest 1861–1862
Lt. Colonel	Robert Johnstone 1862–1863
Colonel	John Hammond 1863–1864
Lt. Colonel	William P. Bacon 1864
Major	Abram H. Krom 1864
Captain	Elmer J. Barker 1864
Lt. Colonel	Theo. A. Boice 1864
Colonel	Amos H. White 1864-1865

The 5th New York Cavalry Regiment, also known as the 5th Regiment New York Volunteer Cavalry and nicknamed the "1st Ira Harris Guards", was a cavalry regiment of the Union Army during the American Civil War. The regiment had a good fighting reputation, and had important roles in the Battle of Hanover and the Battle of the Wilderness. It was present at nearly 175 battles and skirmishes, including Gettysburg, Opequon, and Cedar Creek. A majority of its fighting was in Virginia.

The regiment was formed in New York City by Othniel De Forest. Training began in New York before the regiment moved to Annapolis, Maryland. The regiment was originally involved with the defense of Washington, and subsequently served in the Army of the Potomac and then the Army of the Shenandoah. John Hammond began as a captain and finished his military career as commander of the regiment, leading the regiment in battles such as Hanover, Williamsport, the Wilderness, Spotsylvania, and Cold Harbor.

The regiment had 8 officers and 93 men killed or mortally wounded. Disease killed 3 more officers and 222 more enlisted men. Among the prisons where captured members of the regiment were kept were Libby Prison in Richmond and Andersonville Prison in Georgia. The regiment was commanded by eight different men, although two were in command for only a few days. The Medal of Honor was awarded to six of the regiment's soldiers.