According to Dyer's Compendium of the War of the Rebellion ,
the 5th mustered into the army on 12 July 1861 in Madison, Wisconsin. The regiment served
its three years in the Army of the Potomac. The regiment mustered out on 3 August 1864.
Three companies reorganized as an independent battalion in August 1864, and as a full
regiment in September. The three companies mustered out on 24 June 1865, and the full
regiment on 11 July. The regiment lost a total of 329 officers and men in service. 15
officers and 180 enlisted men were killed or mortally wounded, and 2 officers and 132 died
of disease.