5th Illinois Volunteer Cavalry

12/18/2025

11/13/2025

This past weekend the Bloody 5th attended Honey Springs Battlefield! We were supported by the 11th OVC and the 5th MO. The rangers obliged us as our counterparts. Saturday morning started with a Cav skirmish along owl creek, as we portrayed the 6th KS, then had our spectator battle.

03/09/2025

This past week we lost one of our top horses! Jess was with us from the beginning. From trails to battle she taught many new troopers to ride and took care of them when all the pressure was on. We retired her over and over but she always answered the call when we needed another mount. A few years ago we were short a horse for a 1st section event and once again she answered the call. It was her last event but in true fashion she hitched no problem and was a pulling machine. We’re gonna miss seeing you in the pasture and on our line.

06/14/2024

This past weekend the 5th Illinois cavalry went to Brice’s Crossroads! This is only a glimpse of the pictures Tom Davison got! We were joined by Michigan Cavalry Brigade, 11th OVC, 5th Mo, and Ohio cavalry primarily! If you ride federal follow along or hit any of these quality groups up. We work really hard together to put quality cavalry on the field and bolster numbers! Special thanks to everyone that attended and all the behind the scenes workers making a great event happen!

05/14/2024

05/14/2024

The first weekend of May the “Bloody 5th” was at Billie Creek Village! We had a great turnout and the event is growing! Special thanks to Michigan Cavalry Brigade for attending and riding gray. It was great breaking in new troopers and horses before we head to Brice’s Crossroads! Pics are mostly courtesy of the great Tom Davison!

02/22/2024

The 5th Illinois Cavalry is dedicated to helping educate the public on many avenues! We visit many schools across multiple states with multiple members. We offer a handful of living history days and we always welcome the public into our camps to ask questions and learn about life as a civil war cavalryman!