This is part one of two regarding history of the regiment.

The Fifth Cavalry was raised under the authority given by the War Department to Lieutenant Colonel Joseph T. Copeland, of the 1st. Cavalry, with the sanction of the Governor of Michigan.
Its rendezvous was at Detroit, where they were mustered into the United States service on August 30,1862.

The Regiment, under the command of Colonel Copeland, left its rendezvous on the fourth of December, 1862, with orders to proceed to Washington, having a strength of 1144 officers and men.

They had been subjected to a long delay in procuring arms and equipments, having finally to leave Detroit only partly armed, but fully equipped, mounted and clothed.

A Battery of Artillery was raised in connection with the Regiment, classified as the Ninth Michigan, originally know as "Daniel's Artillery", but was afterwards designated as Battery "I", 1st. Michigan Light Artillery.

During its entire time in the service of the United States, they were assigned to the famous, Michigan Brigade, under the command of Brigadier General George A. Custer.