Background
Benjamin Huger was born in Charleston, South Carolina, on November 22, 1805. His family had a long-standing military reputation. He was the son of Francis Kinloch and Harriott Lucas Pinckney Huger.
West Point, New York, United States
Benjamin Huger entered the United States Military Academy in 1821, graduated four years later.
Benjamin Huger was born in Charleston, South Carolina, on November 22, 1805. His family had a long-standing military reputation. He was the son of Francis Kinloch and Harriott Lucas Pinckney Huger.
Benjamin Huger entered the United States Military Academy in 1821, graduated four years later.
Benjamin Huger was commissioned second lieutenant of artillery on July 1, 1825. After three years in the topographical service, he visited Europe on leave of absence. He was made a captain of ordnance on May 30, 1832, and attained the rank of major on February 15, 1855. At different times he commanded the arsenal at Fortress Monroe, the armory at Harpers Ferry, and the arsenals at Pikesville, Md. , and at Charleston. He was a member of the ordnance board of the department of war, from 1839 to 1846, and a member of a military commission sent abroad to study European methods of war in 1840. In the Mexican War, he was chief of ordnance under General Scott. For gallant conduct at Vera Cruz, Molino del Rey, and Chapultepec, he was successively brevetted major, lieutenant-colonel, and colonel. After the fall of Fort Sumter, he resigned his commission and entered the Confederate service. He was made brigadier-general and later, major-general.
On May 23, 1861, Benjamin was placed in command of the Department of Norfolk, which was subsequently enlarged to include some counties in North Carolina. When McClellan was preparing to pass up the Peninsula to attempt to capture Richmond, and Wool, who commanded at Fortress Monroe, was planning to take Norfolk, Huger believed himself too weak to withstand any serious attack. Therefore he dismantled the fortifications, removed the stores, set fire to the navy yard, blew up the Merrimac, and withdrew from the city on May 9, 1862. In the Peninsular Campaign, he commanded a division of Johnston's army and participated in the battles of Seven Pines, Gaines's Mill, Glendale, and Malvern Hill. He was not as successful as a field commander.
An investigation in the Confederate Congress held him responsible for the disaster at Roanoke Island on February 8, 1862. General Longstreet criticized him severely for his dilatory movements at Seven Pines. Although his position enabled him to watch McClellan's movements after the battle of Gaines's Mill, he did not notice the Federal retreat until a whole day had passed, and then he lost himself in White Oak Swamp. After the battle of Malvern Hill, he failed to cut off McClellan's retreat. On July 12 he was relieved of his command and was assigned as inspector of artillery and ordnance. He was transferred to the Trans-Mississippi Army, where he continued until after the surrender of Lee. After the war, he lived on a farm in Fauquier County, Va. , but late in life, he returned to Charleston.
Benjamin Huger was a member of the Aztec Club of 1847, a social club formed just after the Mexican-American War by army officers. Huger served as its vice president from 1852-1867.
Benjamin Huger was relieved of duty on July 12, 1862, because of his lackluster leadership in battles such as White Oak Swamp and Malvern Hill.
On February 17, 1831, Benjamin Huger married his cousin Elizabeth Celestine Pinckney. Five children were born to them: Benjamin, Eustis, Francis, Thomas Pinckney, and Celestine Pinckney.