Civil War Union Army Officer. He began his Civil War service when he was mustered in as a Sergeant in Company A, 3rd New Jersey Volunteer Infantry on May 25, 1861. Less then a month later, just prior to his regiment's deployment with the Union forces protecting Washington, DC, he was made 1st Sergeant of the Company (June 13, 1861). By the time his regiment took part in the Spring 1862 Penninsular Campaign, and fought in the June 27, 1862 Battle of Glendale, he had been promoted once more, receiving a commission of 2nd Lieutenant on January 6, 1862. As his unit was marching towards the operations that culminated in the 2nd Battle of Bull Run in August 1862, he again was promoted, this time to 1st Lieutenant of Company E. As second in command of his Company, he was with them as they participated in the 1st New Jersey Brigade's triumpant charge at Crampton's Grap, Maryland, during the Battle of South Mountain in September 1862. Just prior to the Federicksburg Campaign, his steady rise in the ranks continued, as he was transferred to the 4th New Jersey Volunteer Infantry on November 26, 1862, and was promoted to Captain and commander of Company D. From that point on he alternated in commanding the Company with serving in staff positions on the brigade level, as his brigade fought in the battles of Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, The Wilderness, Spotsylvania Court House, Cold Harbor, Fisher's Hill and 3rd Winchester. As the senior Captain, he assumed command of the regiment over time after the exertions of field service, promotions and combat all served to decimate the officers and men of the 4th New Jersey. When the regiment and brigade took part in the October 19, 1864 Battle of Cedar Creek, Virginia, all of its senior officers were wounded, including Brigade commander Colonel William Penrose, and Captain Hufty emerged from the battle as the commander of the 1st New Jersey Brigade. He directed the operations of the brigade over the next few months, most notably in the February 1865 Battle of Hatcher's Run, until the return of Colonel Penrose. He was eventually promoted to Lieutenant Colonel (March 26, 1865), and saw the war through to its conclusion. He was mustered out of service on July 9, 1865, having recieved a brevet of Colonel, US Volunteers on April 2, 1865 for "gallant and meritorious services before Petersburg, Va."