Focus: Alexander Webb
Posted to the Project on 02 Jun 07
Today’s monument study turns to one of Gettysburg’s many portrait stautes, the one to General Alexander Stewart Webb.
Located just behind the Angle, this monument honors General Alexander S. Webb who commanded the Philadelphia Brigade at Gettysburg. Webb was born in New York City in 1835. He graduated from West Point with the class of 1855 and was posted to the artillery.
When the Civil War broke out, Webb found himself posted in a variety of staff positions. He was pomoted to brigadier general on June 23, 1863 — right before the battle of Gettysburg. Webb stepped in to replace the commander of the Philadelphia brigade was was arrested for some infraction on the march to Gettysburg.
In the repulse of what became known as “Pickett’s Charge,” Webb was wounded in the thigh and groin. He was awarded the medal of honor for Gettysburg in 1891.
Webb was badly wounded at Spotsylvania, but returned as chief of staff for the Army of the Potomac. He served in the Army until 1870, then moved onto civilian life where he was president of the City College of New York for over thirty years. Webb died on February 12, 1911.