Draw the Sword

Webb’s Brigade (The Philadelphia Brigade)

Location: Hancock Avenue, the Angle

Order of Battle: 2nd Corps, 2nd Division, 2nd Brigade

Commander: Brig. Gen. Alexander Stewart Webb (February 15, 1835 – February 12, 1911) was a career United States Army officer and a Union general in the American Civil War who won the Medal of Honor for gallantry at the Battle of Gettysburg. After the war, he was president of the City College of New York for thirty-three years.

Monument Specifications: Polished granite square base with bronze plaque affixed to front.

Dedication Date: ca. 1912.

Main Inscription: Reads,

ARMY OF THE POTOMAC
SECOND CORPS SECOND DIVISION
SECOND BRIGADE
Brig. Gen. Alexander S. Webb
69th 71st 72D 106th Penna. Infantry

July 2. The 69th Penna. took position along the advanced line of the stone wall at the left of the Angle. The other regiments of the Brigade in the rear of the ridge. During the day two companies of the 71st and two of the 106th Penna. were sharply engaged on the skirmish line. About sunset Brig. Gen. Wright’s Brigade charged across the Emmitsburg Road to the Union line past the guns of Battery B 1st Rhode Island but was soon repulsed with the loss of many prisoners and forced back beyond the Emmitsburg Road. All the guns temporarily lost were retaken. At night the 71st and 106th Penna. except two companies on skirmish line were sent to the support of the Eleventh Corps on East Cemetery Hill. The former returned at midnight the latter remained.

July 3. At 3 P. M. after a heavy cannonading for two hours Major Gen. Pickett’s Division of about 5,000 men charged the line held by this and the Third Brigade breaking through the line at the Angle. Reinforcements coming up quickly the charge was repulsed with great loss. Nearly 1,000 prisoners and six battle flags were reported captured by the Brigade.

Casualties Killed 9 Officers 105 Men Wounded 27 Officers 311 men Captured or Missing 5 Officers 34 Men Total 491

Other Monuments and Memorials: None.

Supplemental Materials: After Action Report of Brig. Gen. Alexander S. Webb (will open a pop up window).