The Louisiana 5th Infantry Regiment completed its organization at New Orleans, Louisiana, in May, 1861 with men from New Orleans and the parishes of St. Bernard, Bienville, De Soto, Lafourche, and Ouachita. Ordered to Virginia and assigned to the Department of the Peninsula, the unit totaled 744 men in April, 1862. During the war it was attached to General McLaws', Semmes', Hays', and York's Brigade, Army of Northern Virginia. It participated in many conflicts from the Seven Days' Battles to Cold Harbor, marched with Early to the Shenandoah Valley, then was involved in the Appomattox operations. The regiment reported 27 casualties at Manassas Junction, 50 at Sharpsburg, 53 at Chancellorsville, and 7 at Second Winchester. It lost more than thirty percent of the 196 engaged at Gettysburg and had 123 captured at Rappahannock Station. Only 1 officer and 18 men surrendered in April, 1865.

Companies

Company A Crescent City Guards

Company B Chalmette Rifle Guards

Company C Bienville Guards

Company D DeSoto Rifles

Company E Orleans Cadet Company B

Company F Orleans Southrons

Company G Louisiana Swamp Rangers

Company H Perret Guards

Company I Carondelet Invincibles

Company K Monroe Guards