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General Isaac Huger 1742 - 1797 Cherokee War Patriot Revolutionary War Patriot |
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After receiving an education in Europe, was commissioned lieutenant in a battalion raised by the colony, and commanded by Col. Thomas Middleton, for service against the Cherokee Indians in 1760. At the beginning of the Revolutionary war he was made lieutenant-colonel of the 1st regiment, and in 1776 was promoted to the colonelcy of the 5th regiment, South Carolina continental line. He was commissioned a brigadier-general in the United States army, 9 January, 1779, and participated in every battle of consequence fought by the southern army. He opposed the invasion of Georgia by General Archibald Campbell, commanded the left wing at the battle of Stono, 20 June, 1779, and was wounded while leading his men. He also led the Georgia and South Carolina militia in the unsuccessful attack on Savannah, and during the siege of Charleston was employed with a body of light troops to cut off supplies from the enemy and keep open communication between the town and country" but his force was defeated and dispersed by Tarleton and Webster at Monk's Corner, South Carolina He joined the army of General Greene, and commanded the Virginians at the battle of Guilford Court House, where he was severely wounded. At Hobkirk's Hill he commanded the right wing of the army. On the restoration of peace he was made vice president, and Major-General Moultrie president, of the Society of the Cincinnati of the state of South Carolina.- Was a lieutenant in the Cherokee War and a Lieutenant-colonel in 1776. In 1779 he was made a brigadier-general.
Cherokee War A new regiment of provincial troops was raised with Thomas Middleton, Henry Laurens, John and William Moultrie, Isaac Huger, and Francis Marion among the commissioned officers. Andrew Pickens was a volunteer. Many Chickasaws, Choctaws, and a few Catawbas also fought with the colonists against the Cherokees. Bull's original plan was to"reduce the Cherokees by want,"and he deliberately chose the winter months when leaves would be off the trees and they would be suffering from the cold. ... Such being the spirit of the savages, the Carolinians had no alternative but to resume their arms. Col. Montgomery having gone to England, the command devolved upon Colonel Grant, and the Highlanders were once more ordered to the relief of the province. The Carolinians were now somewhat better prepared to cooperate with their allies. A native regiment of twelve hundred men was raised, and the command given to Col. Middleton, a brave and accomplished provincial officer. To this regiment Marion was attached, under the
immediate command of Moultrie. Many of his associates in this Cherokee
war became subsequently, like himself, distinguished in the war
with Great Britain. Among these may be mentioned the names of Moultrie,*
Henry Laurens, Andrew Pickens and Isaac Huger. These were all officers,
even in that early day, and Marion himself held a lieutenancy --
some proof that, however little we may know of the circumstances
by which he secured the confidence of his neighbors, Revolutionary War Battle of: Monck's Corner - A British victory on April 14, 1780, over an American force under General Isaac Huger guarding a communications route to Charleston. In February, 1780, Lt. Colonel Banastre Tarleton, Major Patrick Ferguson, their cavalry and a diversionary force of infantry were put ashore in Savannah, Georgia. Tarleton and Ferguson had to first remount their cavalry since their horses had been put overboard because of the stormy sea voyage south from New York. Once remounted, they made their way north, twice skirmishing with Lt. Colonel William Washington. In March, they joined Lt. General Sir Henry Clinton and the main British force in its thirty mile approach to Charleston. Finally on April 2nd, the Siege of Charleston was officially underway. On April 12th, General Clinton ordered Lt. Colonel Tarleton into the countryside as part of an effort to cut Charleston off from its lines of communication and supply. His first objective was to take possession of Monck's Corner and Biggins' Bridge, where a force of 500 Continentals under General Isaac Huger were stationed. Lt. Colonel Tarleton and his British Legion were supported by Major Ferguson and his American Volunteers. On the 13th, they were joined by Lt. Colonel James Webster and his infantry. The plan was for Tarleton and Ferguson to proceed ahead quickly and silently to Monck's Corner and take General Huger by surprise at night. Along the way, they captured a black man who was carrying a letter from Huger to Maj. General Benjamin Lincoln in Charleston, which told Tarleton how the troops were deployed. The Battle Lt. Colonel Tarleton led a charge right at the Americans since swamps on either side precluded a flank attack. The British easily dispersed the militia defending Biggins Bridge. Most of the Americans were able to escape, including General Huger and Lt. Colonel Washington, who had now suffered another defeat by Tarleton. Tarleton was also able to capture wagons of supplies and a great many excellent cavalry horses. The Continental defeat at Monck's Corner tightened the noose around Charleston. Battle of Camden Exerpt GREENE perceived that the possession of the interior of South Carolina depended on the posts at Camden and Ninety-Six, and he resolved to capture them. Lord Rawdon was in command at Camden with a force nine hundred in number, and strongly intrenched When Greene relinquished the pursuit of Cornwallis, he marched directly against Rawdon, and arrived within a mile of his intrenchments on the 19th of April, 1781. The works were too strong for Greene's force to assail, and the latter were not numerous enough to invest them and begin a siege; so he withdrew to Hobkirk's Hill, a well-wooded eminence northward of Camden, and encamped within a mile and a half of Rawdon's intrenchments, where he awaited expected reinforcements under Sumter. There, on the 24th, he heard of the capture of a post at Wright's Bluff, below Camden by Marion and Lee, and was impatient to fall upon Rawdon, for he was informed that almost five hundred troops were marching up the Santee to reinforce the latter. That night a drummer deserted to the enemy, and informed Rawdon of the weakness of Greene and his expectation of reinforcements immediately. Rawdon's provisions were almost exhausted he saw no chance for success in battle excepting in an immediate surprise and attack. So he prepared to fall upon Greene early in the morning of the 25th. At dawn Greene's cavalry, who had been on duty all night, were dismounted, their horses were unsaddled, and they were taking refreshments preparatory to a few hours repose. Some of the other soldiers were washing their clothes, and Greene and his staff were at a spring on the eastern slope of Hobkirk's Hill, at breakfast. Rawdon had sallied out with his whole garrison, and by marching unperceived along the margin of a swamp, had gained the left flank of the Americans. Greene, partially surprised, quickly formed his little army in battle-line. His cavalry were immediately remounted. The Virginia brigade under General Huger, with lieutenant-Colonels Campbell and Hawes, formed the right; the Maryland brigade (with Delaware troops under Kirkwood), led by Colonel Williams, with Colonel Gunby and Lieutenant-Colonels Ford and Howard, occupied the left, and the artillery under Colonel Harrison were in the center, on the road. Washington's cavalry were directed to make a circuit through the woods and fall upon the rear of the enemy, and North Carolina militia were held as a reserve. In this position Greene prepared to receive the non-coming Rawdon. As the British troops moved slowly up the slope, with a narrow front, the regiments of Campbell and Ford were ordered to turn their flanks, and Gunby's Marylanders to assail their front with bayonets, without firing. The battle now opened with great vigor, the Virginians led by Greene in person. The artillery hurled grape-shot with deadly effect, when the British line wavered, and the Americans felt sure of gaining a victory. At that moment Captain Beatty, commanding a company of Gunby's veterans, was killed, and his followers gave way. Unfortunately an order followed for the whole regiment to retire, when the British broke through the American center, pushed up the brow of the hill, and forced Greene to retreat. Washington, meanwhile, had succeeded in capturing about two hundred of the British soldiers, whose officers he quickly paroled; and in the retreat he carried away fifty of the captives. The Americans were chased a short distance, when Washington, turning upon his pursuers, by a gallant charge checked them. Greene saved all of his artillery and baggage, rallied his men at Rugeley's crossed the Wateree River above Camden, and took a strong position to rest before marching on Ninety-Six. The loss of each was less then two hundred and seventy. This defeat was unexpected to Greene, and disconcerted him at first, but his genius and courage were equal to the occasion. Battle of Guildford Court House Exerpt THE Battle of Guilford Court House was not only one of the hardest fought and most deadly conflicts of the American Revolution-creating a profound impression in Europe; but was the decisive engagement of the Southern campaign, contributing no small part to bringing about, almost immediately, the freedom of the Thirteen Colonies ... During the battle Greene kept with the Continentals. The right of this line comprised Brigadier-General Huger's Virginian brigade, his two regiments being commanded by Colonels Greene and Hewes. The left wing was commanded by Colonel Otho H. Williams, consisting of the Maryland Brigade, Colonel Gunby commanding the First, and Lieutenant-Colonel Ford the Second Regiment. Between these wings were placed the other two pieces of artillery. On the left and in front of the Maryland Brigade there were some old fields and open space, while a deep ravine in front of the Virginian Brigade afforded them a natural advantage... When the van of the royal army appeared, Captain Singleton opened fire upon them with his two guns, The British artillery replied and, under cover of the smoke of their cannon, the Kings troops marched through a defile along the Salisbury road and deployed for the conflict. Trevelyan says: "No man alive could set a battle in array more artistically and impressively than Lord Cornwallis." Here is what he did... With the Americans, the deserving Major Anderson of the First Maryland was killed. General Huger was slightly, and General Stevens severely, wounded; while seventy-seven others were killed. One hundred and eighty-two were wounded, and about ten hundred and fifty missing, bringing the total tip to a little more than thirteen hundred. Of course, the great portion of the missing was the militia, the members of that organization simply going off home.
Letters exerpt [V. 3 No. 28] General Huger to Brigr. Genl. Marion. Camp, Hick's Creek, Januy. 28th, 1781. Dear Sir: General Greene wishes that you will attempt to cross the Santee, and if possible, reach some of the ememies magazines and destroy them. I am persuaded you will not leave any practicable measure unattempted to effect this business, the execution is left entirely to your judgement and address. I am, dear Sir, with much esteem, Your most huml. servt., IS. HUGER. P.S. Capt. Snipes has received an invitation from Colo. Harden to join him on the south of Charles Town with 150 men. If you think this will answer the General's intention of alarming the enemy and destroying their magazines, you will promote it. Capt. Snipes has permission to proceed on the expedition. I.S. HUGER, B.G. (No. 28 From Documentary History of the American Revolution, by Gibbes, Volume 3, p. 18) Doc ID: Gibbes, v. 3, p. 18
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