The Regiment was 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. It was assigned on November 23, 1776 to the 2nd South Carolina Brigade, an element of the Southern Department. It was assigned on February 1, 1779 to the South Carolina Brigade, an element of the Southern Department. Consolidated on February 11, 1780 with the 1st South Carolina Regiment.