Benjamin Huger (general) - American Civil War Service

American Civil War Service

Despite the secession of his home state in December 1860, Huger remained in the U.S. Army until after the Battle of Fort Sumter, resigning effective April 22, 1861. Just prior to the battle, Huger traveled to the fort and conferred with its commander, Maj. Robert Anderson, to determine where he stood. Although Anderson was also Southern-born, he had already chosen to follow the Union cause, and Huger left when "their discussions came to naught."

Huger was commissioned an infantry lieutenant colonel in the regular Confederate Army on March 16, and then briefly commanded the forces in and around Norfolk, Virginia. On May 22 he was appointed a brigadier general in the state's militia, and the next day took command of the Department of Norfolk, with defensive responsibilities for North Carolina and southern Virginia, with his headquarters located at Norfolk. Sometime that June he was also commissioned a brigadier in the Virginia Provisional Army, however Huger entered the Confederate volunteer forces on June 17 as a brigadier general. Later on October 7 he was promoted the rank of major general.

Read more about this topic:  Benjamin Huger (general)

Famous quotes containing the words american, civil, war and/or service:

    An American cannot converse, but he can discuss, and his talk falls into a dissertation. He speaks to you as if he was addressing a meeting; and if he should chance to become warm in the discussion, he will say “Gentlemen” to the person with whom he is conversing.
    Alexis de Tocqueville (1805–1859)

    The utter helplessness of a conquered people is perhaps the most tragic feature of a civil war or any other sort of war.
    Rebecca Latimer Felton (1835–1930)

    This is a war universe. War all the time. That is its nature. There may be other universes based on all sorts of other principles, but ours seems to be based on war and games.
    William Burroughs (b. 1914)

    The master class seldom lose a chance to insult a woman who has the ability for something besides service to his lordship.
    Caroline Nichols Churchill (1833–?)