Papers of Benjamin Huger [manuscript], 1780-1877 (bulk 1821-1877).

ArchivalResource

Papers of Benjamin Huger [manuscript], 1780-1877 (bulk 1821-1877).

Huger's papers trace his army career from West Point through the Mexican and Civil wars to retirement in Fauquier County, Va. During the Mexican War he served as Winfield Scott's chief of ordnance and the bulk of the papers are from this command. They include personal and official correspondence, statistics, accounts, orders, reports, maps and a small account book that originally belonged to a paymaster in the Mexican Army. The collection also contains correspondence from family in Charleston, S. C., from family and friends abroad, from friends serving in the Seminole Indian wars in Florida and from an 1850 tour of European ordnance manufacturers. An interesting group attempts to prove Huger's innocence in the Talcott affair involving an unauthorized purchase of shot. The Civil War papers contain correspondence from his sons in Texas and a letter book recording prisoner exchanges and truces for burial and search details. Post war papers of Huger and his sons try to vindicate his conduct in the battle of Seven Pines. The collection also contains an extract from the journal of Robert Kirkwood describing the battle of Camden, S. C. in 1780. Correspondents include Judah P. Benjamin, Charles M. Conrad, Jefferson Davis, Josiah Gorgas, Hugh Swinton Legaré, Fitzhugh Lee, Robert E. Lee, Joel R. Poinsett, George Wythe Randolph, Daniel E. Sickles, Gustavus W. Smith, Leroy Pope Walker and John E. Wool. There are also documents signed by John C. Calhoun, Henry Clay and John Letcher.

3 reels: positive ; 35 mm.

Information

SNAC Resource ID: 7922261

University of Virginia. Library

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