Brigadier General Joseph D. Webster (USV)

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Aug 27, 2016
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Hangzhou, China (Wisconsin, USA)
170512 Joseph D Webster.jpg


Brigadier General Joseph Dana Webster (USV)


Joseph Dana Webster was born on 25 August 1811 in Hampton, New Hampshire. He graduated from Dartmouth College in 1832 and worked as a civil engineer. He joined the U.S. Army in 1838, serving as 2nd lieutenant in the U.S. Topographical Engineers. He fought in the Mexican-American War and by 1853 was captain. He resigned from the Army in 1854.

He returned to service in the army at the outbreak of the Civil War. On 1 June 1861, he was appointed major in the U.S. Army Paymasters. In September, he became chief of staff to Ulysses S. Grant. On 1 February 1862, Webster was appointed colonel of the 1st Illinois Light Artillery Regiment but remained Grant’s chief of staff through the battles of Belmont, Fort Henry, Fort Donelson, and Shiloh.

Webster was instrumental in massing the artillery in support of Grant’s last line of defense near Pittsburg Landing on the first day of the Battle of Shiloh. On 29 November, he was promoted to brigadier general of U.S. volunteers. He was assigned superintendent of railroads in the Department of the Tennessee. He next served as the Chief of Transportation for the Army of the Tennessee during the siege of Vicksburg and later for the entire Military Division of Mississippi.

When William T. Sherman became commander of the Military Division of Mississippi, he selected Webster as his chief of staff. He served in this capacity through the Atlanta Campaign, March to the Sea, and the Carolinas Campaign. On 13 March 1865, Webster was brevetted to major general of U.S. volunteers and resigned on 6 November 1865. After the war, he worked as a collector for the Bureau of Internal Revenue. He died in Chicago on 12 April 1876.

170512 Joseph D Webster comparison.jpg
 
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Brigadier General Joseph Dana Webster (USV)


Joseph Dana Webster was born on 25 August 1811 in Hampton, New Hampshire. He graduated from Dartmouth College in 1832 and worked as a civil engineer. He joined the U.S. Army in 1838, serving as 2nd lieutenant in the U.S. Topographical Engineers. He fought in the Mexican-American War and by 1853 was captain. He resigned from the Army in 1854.

He returned to service in the army at the outbreak of the Civil War. On 1 June 1861, he was appointed major in the U.S. Army Paymasters. In September, he became chief of staff to Ulysses S. Grant. On 1 February 1862, Webster was appointed colonel of the 1st Illinois Light Artillery Regiment but remained Grant’s chief of staff through the battles of Belmont, Fort Henry, Fort Donelson, and Shiloh.

Webster was instrumental in massing the artillery in support of Grant’s last line of defense near Pittsburg Landing on the first day of the Battle of Shiloh. On 29 November, he was promoted to brigadier general of U.S. volunteers. He was assigned superintendent of railroads in the Department of the Tennessee. He next served as the Chief of Transportation for the Army of the Tennessee during the siege of Vicksburg and later for the entire Military Division of Mississippi.

When William T. Sherman became commander of the Military Division of Mississippi, he selected Webster as his chief of staff. He served in this capacity through the Atlanta Campaign, March to the Sea, and the Carolinas Campaign. On 13 March 1865, Webster was brevetted to major general of U.S. volunteers and resigned on 6 November 1865. After the war, he worked as a collector for the Bureau of Internal Revenue. He died in Chicago on 12 April 1876.

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Great job, CP. He looks like an archetype of a New England Yankee. You don't see very many pictures of blonde Civil War generals.
 
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