This regiment was originally recruited as the 1st Middle Tennessee Cavalry.

The 5th Tennessee Cavalry was organized at Murfreesboro, Nashville, and Carthage, Tennessee and mustered in for a three-year enlistment on July 15, 1862, under the command of Colonel William Brickly Stokes.

The regiment was attached to Post of Nashville, Tennessee, Army of the Ohio, to November 1862.

Post of Nashville, Tennessee, Department of the Cumberland, to June 1863.

Post of Nashville, Tennessee, Reserve Corps, Department of the Cumberland, June 1863.

1st Brigade, 2nd Cavalry Division, Army of the Cumberland, to August 1863.

3rd Brigade, 2nd Division, Cavalry Corps, Department of the Cumberland, to November 1863.

1st Brigade, 2nd Cavalry Division, Army of the Cumberland, to April 1864.

2nd Brigade, 4th Division, Cavalry Corps, Department of the Cumberland, to October 1864.

The 5th Tennessee Cavalry mustered out of service on August 14, 1865.

Expedition to Auburn, Liberty, Snow Hill, etc., April 2–6.

Snow Hill or Smith's Ford and Liberty April 3.

(Two companies on Streight's Raid toward Rome, Ga., April 26–May 3.

Blountsville and East Branch, Big Warrior River, May 1.

Duty at Carthage, McMinnville, Alexandria, Tracy City and Shelbyville, operating against guerrillas on line of the Nashville & Chattanooga Railroad until February 1864.

Missionary Ridge and Shallow Ford Gap September 22.

Reopening Tennessee River October 26–29 (Company G).

Wilkinson's Cross Road near Murfreesboro and the Cedars December 7.

Ordered to Fayetteville January 1865, and duty patrolling line of the Nashville & Chattanooga Railroad and duty in District of East Tennessee until August 1865.