FIFTH REGIMENT INFANTRY.

THE Fifth Maryland Infantry Regiment was organized at Baltimore
City, Maryland, in September, 1861, to serve three years. On the
expiration of its term of service, the original members (except
veterans) were mustered out and the organization, composed of
veterans and recruits, retained in service until September 1, 1865,
when it was mustered out of service, in accordance with orders
from the War Department.

Whilst the regiment was organized at Baltimore City, a number of the companies
were recruited in other sections of the State. Company A was recruited at North East,
Cecil County; Company E was recruited in Frederick County and Baltimore City; Com-
pany I was recruited at Elkton, Cecil County; Companies B, C, D, F, G, H and K were
recruited at Baltimore City.

The Fifth Regiment of Infantry occupied a camp at Lafayette Square, Baltimore
City, from September, 1861, until March, 1862, where they were drilled, disciplined, and
prepared for active service in the field.

On the 11th of March, 1862, the 5th Regiment left Baltimore for the seat of war in
Virginia; on arrival at Fortress Monroe, Virginia, they were assigned to General Dix's
command in the Army of the Potomac.

After the repulse of General McClellan's army on the peninsula of Virginia, and the
transfer of the seat of war to Northern Virginia and Maryland, in August and September,
1862, the 5th Regiment marched with the army of the Potomac, and bore a conspicuous
part in the battle of Antietam, September 17, 1862. Having been assigned to 3d
Brigade, 3d Division, 3d Army Corps, at that portion of the battlefield of Antietam known
as the "Bloody Lane," the 5th Regiment fought bravely and suffered severely in killed and
wounded. The commanding officer for the time being, Major Leopold Blumenberg, was
seriously wounded at the head of the regiment and carried to the rear, when Captain W.
W. Bamberger, of Company B, assumed command of the regiment, who, in turn, was
seriously wounded and taken to the rear, when the command of the regiment devolved
on Capt. Salome Marsh, of Company F, who commanded the regiment during the re-
mainder of the day. The 5th Regiment had thirty-nine men killed and one hundred and
nine men wounded in the battle of Antietam.

After the battle of Antietam the 6th Maryland Infantry marched to Bolivar Heights,
Virginia, and went into camp. On the 16th and 17th days of October, 1862, the 5th
Regiment was directed to reconnoiter the enemy's army, then camped near Charlestown,
Virginia.