5th Kentucky Infantry Regiment (Union)

The 5th Kentucky Infantry Regiment was a volunteer infantry regiment in the Union Army during the American Civil War. It was formed in Camp Clay, Kentucky, in September 1861, primarily composed of men from the northern and central counties of the state, an area with divided loyalties but generally more supportive of the Union cause.

The regiment saw extensive service throughout the war, primarily in the Western Theater. Key engagements in which the 5th Kentucky Infantry participated include the Battle of Shiloh, the Siege of Corinth, the Battle of Perryville, the Battle of Stones River (Murfreesboro), the Tullahoma Campaign, the Battle of Chickamauga, the Atlanta Campaign (including battles at Resaca, Kennesaw Mountain, and Atlanta itself), the Franklin-Nashville Campaign (including the Battle of Franklin and the Battle of Nashville), and the Carolinas Campaign.

The 5th Kentucky Infantry was known for its hard fighting and suffered significant casualties throughout the war. Its ranks were constantly replenished by recruits and transfers, although maintaining full strength proved challenging as the war progressed.

Following the surrender of Confederate forces in 1865, the 5th Kentucky Infantry Regiment was mustered out of service in Louisville, Kentucky, in July 1865. The surviving members returned home, having contributed significantly to the Union victory. The regiment's service record is indicative of the broader struggles and divisions within Kentucky during the Civil War, a state that attempted to remain neutral but ultimately became a crucial battleground and a source of soldiers for both sides.