A Civil War Biography

Frank Huger

Huger was born in 1837 in Norfolk, Virginia where his father, Benjamin Huger, was in command of Fortress Monroe. Following in his father's footsteps, the younger Huger headed to West Point and was graduated 31st in the class of 1860. He was assigned as a 2nd lieutenant in the 10th US infantry. On 21 May 1861, he decided to follow his father and resigned from the US army. Frank entered the Confederate service as captain of the Norfolk light artillery. While his battery was assigned to the Norfolk area he also served as aide-de-camp on his father's staff. The elder Huger by then was a brigadier general. Frank led his battery during the Seven Days and at Fredericksburg. Early in 1863 he was promoted to major and served under Edward Porter Alexander at Chancellorsville and Gettysburg. Huger went west with James Longstreet's Corps and commanded Longstreet's artillery battalion during the Knoxville campaign. After returning to the Army of Northern Virginia in 1864 Huger commanded Longstreet's artillery at the Wilderness, Spotsylvania, Cold Harbor, and during the siege at Petersburg. Huger was captured on 6 April 1865 during the retreat towards Appomattox at Saylor's Creek by Union cavalry commanded by George A. Custer, an old friend from West Point. Huger farmed following the war. He died in 1897.

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