The Fifth Texas Infantry Regiment was organized at Richmond, Virginia, during October 1861. Ten companies of Texas Infantry which had arrived in Richmond earlier were combined to make up the unit. Along with the First and Fourth Texas Infantry Regiments, the Fifth Texas Infantry made up the famous Hood's Texas Brigade of the Army of Northern Virginia. At various times during the war, Brigade included: 18th Georgia Infantry (fall 1861 - summer 1862); eight companies of Hampton's SC Legion ( summer 1862 - fall 1862); 3rd Arkansas (fall 1862 - April 1865).

Two members of the Fifth Texas Infantry were promoted to the rank of General: Brigadier-General James J. Archer (June 3, 1862) and Brigadier-General Jerome B. Robertson (November 1, 1862)

Company D - nicknamed the Waverly Confederates. Company was organized in Walker County, Texas, and was mustered into the Confederate Service "for the war", in that county on August 2, 1861. The Company also included men from Montgomery and Waverly Counties. Only one Sergeant and five Privates were surrendered at Appotomax Court House.

Company D's engagements 1862

• Eltham's Landing (May 7), Cpt. Powell commanding
• Seven Pines {Fair Oaks} (May 31-June 1), Cpt. Robert M. Powell commanding
• Seven Days Battles (June 25-July 1), Ltn. William T. Hill commanding
  • Oak Grove {French's Field, King's School House} (June 25)
  • Beaver Dam Creek {Mechanicsville, Ellerson's Mill} (June 26)
  • Gaines Mill {1st Cold Harbor} (June 27-28)
  • Savage Station (June 29)
  • Glendale {Welson's Farm, Frazer's Farm, White Oak Swamp} (June 30)
  • Malvern Hill {Pointdexter's Farm} (July 1)
• Freeman's Ford (August 22), Ltn. William T. Hill commanding
• 2nd Bull Run {2nd Manassas, Gainesville} (August 28-30), Cpt. William T. Hill commanding
• South Mountain {Boonsborough Gap} (September 14), Cpt. William T. Hill commanding
• Antietam {Sharpsburg} (September 17), Company not heavily engaged.
• Fredericksburg {Marye's Heights} (December 13), 5th Texas not heavily engaged. Casualties negligible.

1863

• Washington Siege (April 4)
• Suffolk Siege (April 11 - May 4)
• Gettysburg (July 1-3), Cpt. William T. Hill commanding
• Chickamauga (September 19-20), Ltn. O.P. Caldwell commanding
• Chattanooga Siege (September 23 - October 30), Reached lines around.
• Battle of Wauhatchie (October 28 - 29), Guarded upper bridge across Lookout Creek.
• Knoxville Siege (November 17 - December 4), Ltn. A.C. Woodall commanding

1864

• The Wilderness (May 5-7), Cpt. William T. Hill commanding
• Spotslyvania Court House (May 8-21), Ltn. A.C. Woodall commanding
• North Anna (May 23-26), Only action seen by regiment was picket skirmishes.
• Cold Harbor (June 1-3)
• Petersburg Siege (June - March, 1865)
• New Market Heights (September 29)
• Chaffin's Farm (September 29)
• Fort Gilmer (September 29-30)
• Darbytown Road (October 7)

1865

• Appomattox Court House (April 9)

Company D Commanding Officers

Robert M. Powell

• Captain/Colonel Robert M. Powell (01.10.1861 - 06.1862)
• 1st Lieutenant/Captain William T. Hill (06.1862 - 07.1863) {First Wound}
• 3rd Lieutenant O.P. Caldwell (07.1863 - 02.1864) {Deserted}
• 2nd/1st Lieutenant A.C. Woodall (02.1864 - 05.1864) {Temporary Duty}
• Captain William T. Hill (05.1864) {Second Wound}
• 1st Lieutenant A.C. Woodall (05.1864 - 10.1864) {Twice Wounded; Retired}

5th Texas Regiment Commanding Officers

James J. Archer

Jerome B. Roberston

Robert M. Powell

Tacitus Clay

• Colonel James J. Archer (01.10.1861 - 20.02.1862) {Commander Of Texas Brigade}
  
• Colonel James J. Archer (12.03. - 01.06.1862) {Promoted to Brigadier general}
  
• Colonel Jerome B. Robertson (01.06.1862 - 30.08.1862) {Twice wounded}
  
• Captain Ike N. M. Turner (31.08.1862 - 04.1863) {Killed}
  
• Colonel Robert M. Powell (04.1863 - 01-03.07.1863} (Wounded; Captured at Gettysburg}
  
• Major Jefferson C. Rogers (01-03.07.1863 - 19-20.09.1863) {Wounded}
  
• Lieutenant Colonel Bryan King (21.09.1863 - 06.05.1864) {Wounded}
  
• Captain T. T. Clay (06.05.1864 - 09.01.1865)
  
• Captain William T. Hill (April 9, 1865)

Texas Brigade Commanding Officers

Louis T. Wigfall	James J. Archer	John B. Hood	William T. Wofford
Jerome B. Roberston	John Gregg	C.M. Winkler	Robert M. Powell

• Brigadier General Louis T. Wigfall (21.10.1861 - 20.02.1862) {CS Senate}
  
• Colonel James J. Archer (20.02.1862 - 12.03.1862) {Later promoted to Brigadier General}
  
• Brigadier General John B. Hood (12.03.1862 - 07.1862) {Promoted to General Major}
  
• Colonel William T. Wofford (07.1862 - 11.1862) {Temporary assignment}
  
• Brigadier General Jerome B. Robertson (11.1862 - 02.1864) {Transfered to Texas Reserve}
  
• General John Gregg (02.1864 - 07.10.1864) {Killed}
  
• Lieutenent Colonel Clinton M. Winkler (10.1864 - 02.1865)
  
• Colonel Frederick S. Bass (02.1865 - 03.1865)
  
• Colonel Robert H. Powell (03.1865 - 09.04.1865)