Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-05-21
INCIDENTS OF
THE CIVIL WAR
! ! !

Among the descendants of the revolution
AIRY hero, Gen. Huger of Charleston, S. c.,
in the confederate army were two cous-
ms named Huger. both of whom had the
same first name, Frank. although differ
ent middle name. They were young men
at the outbreak of the war, the elder hav-
with Grant and other men afterward prom
inent in the Union service, while the
younger was only seventeen years old
They were handsome, brilliant. attractive
men, and had many friends. The elder is
now dead; the younger is Maj. Frank HUI
ger, general superintendent of the Sea-
board Air Line, and who was a delegate to
the International Railway Congress which
met here recently. Both won distinction
In the war, and both were captured by the
Union troops and had romantic adventures
in captivity.
The elder, Col. Frank Huger, was cap
tured in battle, and as he was being taken
to the rear with number of other pris-
oners was hailed by Gen. Custer, who had
been with him at West Point and who
now insisted that he should go with him,
promising to be responsible for him.
No, Custer said Col. Huger; Il have
been with these fellows all along and I
will stick to them to the end"
But, Frank" said Custer, you may
have to endure all sorts of hardships. You
had better come to my headquarters and
give me your parole and let me take care
of you"
Can't do it, said Huger Must stay
with the boys" And nothing that Custer
said could shake him.
Well, them, said Custer, 'let me take
your watch and other valuables. because
you mi ght be robbed"
Custer" said the colonel, Il haven't any
valuables except these spurs" Taking off
.fr Of. H.
Custer and said: Il wish you would keep
them for me until / see you again. They
were my fathers, and my grandfather
wore them through the revolution"
With a smile on his face he trudged on
with the other prisoners through the rain
which began to fall. Huger never saw
Custer again. and Custer, thinking he was
dead and not being able to trace him. wore
the spurs himself until he was killed at
the battle of the Rosebud.
One spur was recovered and sent to Mrs
Custer. 1t bore the name of Gen. Huger
of the revolution. Mrs. Custer learned
that Col. Huger was then living and sent
him the spur. with a beautiful letter, which
he hung with the spur on the wall Of his
library.
Maj. Huger, his cousin. was captured all
alone by troops under Gen. William Buell.
nephew OF the more famous Don Carlos
Buell.. William Buell. saw him as he was
being taken to the rear. Noting that he
was so young and handsome. Gen. Buell.
stopped him. and, learning who he was
said:
Il want you to come to my HEADQUARTERS
and stay with me. l ask only one thing
and that Is that you will give me your
promise not to run away"
We'll, general. said young Huger 81
promise you that when l make up nv
| mind to go l will let you know in adj
vance"
For a month Huger practically served
on Buelrs staff, for the general treated
him just as IL he was his own son and aid
de-camp. Huger went with Buell. in this
way through the battle of Bentonville At
the end OF thirty days, however, Huge1
felt that he could not stay any longer
in that situation, he told General Buell.
that he must surrender his parole, and.
accordingly. he went to prison. General
Buell. had become greatly attached to him
and almost, wept when he had to give
him up He offered Huger his well-filled
purse. telling him he would probably need
money before he got through. But Huger
said:
mo; cannot take that. You have al
most made me traitor to my own people
by your fatherly kindness. and it is time
for me to leave you"
after time was exchanged.