The Georgia 1st Cavalry Battalion was organized with four companies about September 27, 1861. The First Battalion was organized from the First Squadron, Georgia Cavalry and other independent companies some dating from the Revolutionary war era. The battalion was assigned to the Department of Georgia under the command of Brigadier General H. W. MERCER. The Department of Georgia was a division of the Department of South Carolina, Georgia, and East Florida, under Major General P. G. T. BEAUREGARD. The Battalion was commanded by Lt. Colonel Charles SPALDING. The 1st Battalion served as coastal guards, covering the area from lower South Carolina to the Altamaha River in Georgia, until early 1863. On January 20, 1863, the Battalion was consolidated with the 2nd Cavalry Battalion and designated as the 5th Cavalry Regiment per S. O. # 20, Department of South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida. The 5th Georgia Cavalry was assigned to Major General "Fighting Joe" WHEELER'S Cavalry Corps in June of 1864 and fought almost constantly from that time until the end of the war. They participated in the March to Sea and the Carolina's Campaign. This unit participated in the horrid affair at Ebenezer where Sherman's troops pulled the pontoon bridge as hundreds of negroes who were following the army were trying to cross. Hundreds drowned in the stream. Gen, Wheeler mentions in his memoirs that his troops rescued at least 50 that the Yankees had left to drown.