5th Georgia Volunteer Infantry

One of the most famous and most well-recognized names of the 5th Georgia, the name Clinch Rifles was named for General Duncan L. Clinch who served in the Seminole Indian War. The company, which was formed before the beginning of the civil war, fought in almost every engagement of the regiment and was dissolved by the end of the war in 1865.

"Formed in 1852, this unit wore a simple, elegant uniform of rifle dark green single-breasted frock coat and matching trousers. Green kepis were worn, the frontal device on the kepi being a laurel wreath with the initials 'CR' inside. The collar and French cuff flaps were outlined in the regimental (color) for the enlisted men and gold for the officers. Black leather equipment was worn as befitted a rifle unit."[9] As a rifle unit, this outfit was initially uniformed in dark green, but that pre-war finery would quickly disappear as the unit was absorbed into one of the state regiments that would eventually become Confederate regulars.

The uniform was also described by the unit commander to the governor of Georgia as follows: "Our Dress uniform is a dress coat of dark green broad cloth, with gilt rifle buttons, and trimmed with gold lace and cord on the outside seams; cap of dark green with letters 'C.R.' surrounded with a gold wreath, light green pompon; wings of brass, army style. Our fatigue dress consists of a dark green cloth jacket, trimmed with gold lace, green cap and black pants."[10]

The company flag of the Clinch Rifles was presented on March 10, 1861. The Augusta Chronicle & Sentinel reported the presentation of a new flag for the Clinch Rifles. The article described the flag as being the design of "the Confederate States," implying it was a First National, topped with a wreath of flowers. Associated with this company is a surviving example of a flag of the size typical of so-called "Bible" flags. It resides in the collections of the Georgia Historical Society of Savannah, and it is a small silk First National flag; the word "Clinch" with a white bar on it.[1]

Clinch Rifles on May 10, 1861.	May 10, 1861 Men of Company A posing with a 1st National Confederate Banner.

This officer from Company A is simply and elegantly uniformed in tunic, trousers and kepi. Note the French cuffs on his sleeves and the fact that his rank insignia is worn on his shoulders, a detail that changed when a new Confederate rank system was adopted.

During the Civil War, the Griffin Light Guards served as a line company. Its uniform included blue cloth caps with white plumes; blue frock coats with three rows of brass buttons, silver lace trim, and blue epaulettes. Officers had a single-breasted frock coat. Trousers were also blue, apparently with a white stripe.[11] The company flag, presented to the company a few days before December 11, 1860, was described: "upon one side is the Coat of Arms of Georgia; on the other a huge rattlesnake, coiled around a tree and the words 'Don't tread on me'". The flag was issued before Georgia seceded in January 1861, and it was most likely used as their company colors up to the formation of the 5th Georgia.[1]

Alongside Richmond County, Augusta County, Georgia, contributed to these Irish Volunteers, formed in 1852, which became Co C. (nicknamed the Color Company for their Irish heritage) of the 5th Georgia Infantry Regiment; this unit suffered heavy casualties at Chickamauga, serving in John K. Jackson's Bde, Cheatham's Div of Polk's Right Wing at the time. The regiment received gray uniforms in 1862 alongside the rest of the regiment. Another Irish regiment from Augusta - a sister company named the Montgomery Guards - formally Co K, 20th Georgia Infantry, was reported by the Augusta Daily Constitutionalist on January 12, 1861, as both companies in "showy uniforms" and carrying a "beautiful new banner.", and again on May 8, 1861, reporting the Irishmen with "a handsome Confederate States banner."[1][12][13] As with the Clinch Rifles, their flagstaff was topped with a wreath of flowers.

There is little information on the Schley County of Company G, as the only account of them are through official documents and letters. Here is the final letter sent by Charles Womack of Schley County to his brother David, describing some routine done at the time by the company and the regiment:

Camp Stephens June 22, 1861 Brother David,

I wrote to you sometime since from this place and have waited until now for an answer, but have not received one yet. The mail has go such around about that it is impossible that it has been miscarried and you did not receive it. I hear where I should be glad to receive letters at anytime more especially as came from home. We all are enjoying very good health to be so many men together in a sickly portion of country. I find here that it is more pleasant in the shade but in the sun I believe that it is better. I cannot give you any information con-cerning the war at this place that is when it begin at this place. All preparations for war are being executed with the same dispatch as it has been all this time. Every train that comes to this point for the last few brings cannon five or six daily. Some things that there will be no (end page 1, begin page 2) fight until after the Fourth of July. For the last week they have been practicing with their large guns over at the navy yard and when they first commenced the boys thought that the fight had begun. They were eating dinner at the time and they were so excited that they did not finish their dinner. I told them that it might be the last dinner that I should get soon and I would eat a plenty. On Wednesday Gen Bragg Came over to review this regiment and said that it was very well drilled for the time they have been in service. We have four companies out of the regiment which only leaves six com-panies in the regiment. I received a letter from home with a letter from your. They stated that the crop was pretty good. I know if they have seasons the crop ought to be good for I put it in good order before I left home. Excuse this letter for there is a perfect moon around me all the time but I was determined to write you

Direct—5th Regiment Ga Volunteers Schley Guards, Pensacola Fla

Charles Womack[14]

Officers of the 5th Georgia Volunteer Infantry Regiment are pictured in this photo.

"During the war this unit's designation was Company K. Its headgear was a dark blue shako with a large brass state coat of arms over the letters 'UG' within a wreath on the front and a yellow pompon. The frock coat was dark blue, with three rows of six buttons down and front, each three being connected by a double row of buff lace; the standing collar was edge in buff lace, as were the cuffs, with three lace buttonholes on each; buff epaulettes were worn by the enlisted men. Trousers were a matching blue with a buff stripe. For fatigue, the unit wore plain, dark blue jackets and trousers, and plain kepis with brass 'UG' cap badge." [15]

Company H (Hardees Rifles) was mustered into service at Macon, Georgia, May 11, 1861. It became Company A, 2nd Battalion, Georgia Sharpshooters in 1862, alongside Companies N and L, and then merged with the known as Company M of the 5th Georgia after sustained casualties, although there is significant conflicting data;[16][17] the regiment was given its nickname, presumably, under the fact that it had joined with the Harrison Brigade, who served under Lieutenant General Hardee during the late war.[17] The latter companies of Company H were not given nicknames due to their short time in service, and their complex merging of companies which has been lost in time, similar to other less notable companies of the regiment. Company H is one of the many examples of hardships that the 5th Georgia undertook during its activity in the war. Their battle flag, which, according to museum provenance, was presented in April 1861 and had been ordered from Richmond, Virginia. The wool bunting flag features seven stars with the left side of the circle open, forming a horseshoe. The flag was given in 1906 to Miss Annie E. Campbell, who presented it to the local chapter of the United Daughters of the Confederacy (UDC) in 1941; one of the few remaining remnants of the companies existence.[1]