On this day in 1835, Union General Alexander Stewart Webb is born in New York City.
Webb’s grandfather had fought at Bunker Hill during the American Revolution, and his father, James Watson Webb, was a prominent newspaper editor and
On this day in 1835, Union General Alexander Stewart Webb is born in New York City.
Webb’s grandfather had fought at Bunker Hill during the American Revolution, and his father, James Watson Webb, was a prominent newspaper editor and diplomat who served as minister to Brazil during the Civil War. The younger Webb, known as Andy to his family, attended West Point, graduating in 1855. He taught mathematics at West Point and in Florida before the Civil War.
When the war broke out, Webb was assigned to defend Fort Pickens, Florida, but was soon called to Washington, D.C.,and placed in the artillery in the army guarding the capital. He fought at the First Battle of Bull Run, Virginia,in July 1861 as assistant to the chief of artillery, Major William Barry. A year later, Webb was in charge of the artillery at the Battle of Malvern Hill, Virginia,at the end of the Seven Days Battles. In that engagement, Union cannon devastated attacking Confederate infantry, and Webb was commended for leading the artillery line. General Dani