• Authorized on February 22, 1776 in the South Carolina State Troops as the 5th South Carolina Regiment.
• Organized in spring 1776 at Charleston to consist of seven companies from eastern and northern South Carolina.
• Adopted on March 25, 1776 into the Continental Army and assigned to the Southern Department.
• Assigned on November 23, 1776 to the 2nd South Carolina Brigade, an element of the Southern Department.
• Relieved on January 3, 1779 from the 2nd South Carolina Brigade.
• Assigned on February 1, 1779 to the South Carolina Brigade, an element of the Southern Department.
• Relieved on May 1, 1779 from the South Carolina Brigade.
• Assigned on June 15, 1779 to McIntosh's Brigade, an element of the Southern Department.
• Relieved on September 14, 1779 from McIntosh's Brigade.
• Consolidated on February 11, 1780 with the 1st South Carolina Regiment.

Lineage taken from "The Continental Army" by Robert K Wright

• Charleston 1775-1776
• Savannah

Elements additionally served in:

• Florida

The 5th South Carolina Regiment was raised on February 22, 1776 at Charleston, South Carolina for service with the Continental Army. The regiment saw action at the Siege of Savannah. The regiment was merged into the 1st South Carolina Regiment on February 11, 1780.