Isaac was born at Limerick plantation on the Cooper River, in 1742. He was the son of Daniel and Mary (Cordes) Huger and the grandson of Daniel Huger, a Huguenot merchant of good family, who emigrated to South Carolina in 1685, settled on a plantation on the Santee River, and acquired a good deal of wealth. Isaac's father became one of the richest men in the province.
Education
His father liberally educated his five sons, all of whom performed distinguished services during the American Revolution.
Career
The first important public service of Isaac was during the Cherokee War of 1760, when, with his brother, John, he served as lieutenant in a militia regiment. In January 1775 he was a member of the Provincial Congress, which, after adopting the "Association" recommended by the Continental Congress, appointed him as one of a committee to exchange rice for other commodities during the period of boycott. He and his brother Daniel were elected to the Provincial Congress in November 1778, although his military duties probably prevented his performing much service in that body.
On June 17, 1775, he had been commissioned lieutenant-colonel of the 16t South Carolina Regiment, which the Provincial Congress resolved to raise after the battle of Lexington. On September 16, 1776, he was promoted to be colonel of the 5th Continental Regiment, and on January 9, 1779, he became brigadier-general of the southern army. He made an able attempt to defend Georgia from the invasion of Campbell and Prevost. In June 1779 he commanded the left wing at the battle of Stono Ferry, where he was severely wounded, but in October of that year was able to lead the South Carolina and Georgia troops in an unsuccessful attack on Savannah.
During the siege of Charleston he attempted to cut off British supplies with a party of skirmishers, which was, however, surprised and routed by Tarleton at Monks Corner. He then joined Greene's army, in which he commanded the Virginians at Guilford Court House, where he was again wounded, and at the battle of Hobkirk's Hill he commanded the right wing. At the end of the war he was sent to the General Assembly of South Carolina that met in January 1782. In August 1783 he was elected first vice-president of the South Carolina branch of the Society of the Cincinnati.
Achievements
Connections
On March 23, 1762, he married Elizabeth Chalmers by whom he had eight children.