Fifth United States Volunteer Infantry Regiment
This regiment was organized at Alton and Camp Douglass,Ill.,from March 22 to May 2,1865, to
served three years. it was mustered out of service by companies at different dates from October 11 to November 13,1866.
Captain John S. Cochrane (Company I")December 4,1865-November 13,1866
Company "I" was mustered out on November 13,1866.
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[Note* 1st Lieut. Frederick Hubert was from Company "I"]
JUNE 29, 1865.--Skirmish with Indians near Fort Dodge, Kans.
Report of Lieut. Frederick Hubert, Fifth U. S. Volunteer Infantry.
HDQRS. DETACHMENT FIFTH U. S. VOLUNTEERS,
Fort Dodge, July 1, 1865.
SIR: I have the honor to report to you that on the 29th day of June,
while en route for this post, at the hour of 2 p. m., about forty Indians
charged upon one of the cattle herds belonging to a Mexican train,
killing two Mexican herdsmen and scalping another, at some 600 yards
distance from the line of pickets. As soon as the cry of Indians rang
through the camp I had the mule herd driven in, formed my men for the
defense of the camp, and doubled the pickets around it. The Indians,
satisfied with the mischief done, struck across the road within two
miles of camp and made for the river. They did not succeed in driving
off any stock, notwithstanding the immense amount of stock in the
command. The entire train consisted of 175 wagons and 150 head of
loose stock. I am really sorry for the loss of the lives referred to above.
If I had had any means to pursue the devils they would not have gone
away unpunished.
Very respectfully, your most obedient servant,
F. HUBERT,
Lieut.-Col. KING,
Cmdg. Third Sub-District of Upper Arkansas.
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Letter from veteran (Co. "G" 5th U.S. Volunteers)
I enlisted from Camp Douglas Chicago, Illinois on April 4, 1865 being a Confederate prisoner of war.
The express understanding was that we were to serve on the western frontiers of the U. S. against the hostile Indians in Kansas, Nebraska and Colorado. as the Indians were then on the war path.
I am not sure that the Regiment 5th U. S. Volunteers Infantry was ever organized but my company G served one year and six months in the then states and territory of Kansas, Colorado and Nebraska. Some time was spent in marching on foot from one state or territory to another doing post duty at different places. We were at cottonwood Springs, Fort Kearney, Nebraska and other points some of which I have forgotten.
Our service was under the command of Lieutenant Thomas Hughes from the time we left Chicago, Illinois to the time of our discharge from the service of the U. S. at Fort Kearney, Nebraska in October 1866.
From Fort Kearney we went out on a special expedition against the Indians who were at that time threatening to make a raid on the white settlements at and near the posts located along the Platt River. If I mistake not this special expedition was in the summer, possibly spring, of 1866. I am not sure about the date.
In the winter, 1865 and 1866, we suffered untold miseries out on the bleak prairie, living in tents much of the winter. Our main fuel was buffalo chips and green cottonwood. Good wood had to be hauled on wagons 85 miles from the foot of the Rocky Mountains.