The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1877-07-13

ter station, and died at Ogdensburg, N. Y,
in 1865, while in command of the cutter S.
=. Chase.
The sword from the State is inscribed,
Presented by the State of Maryland to Capt.
John A. Webster, for his gallant defence of
the battery committed 10 his charge during
the memorable attack against the CITY Of
Baltimore, September IA, 1S14-Fiio forti ct
fidel, John Adams Webster, Maryland de
dit"
The sword from citizens of Baltimore is
inscribed as follows: presented by n num-
Der ofcitiZens of Baltimore to Lieut.. John A.
Webster, of the United States Chesapeake
fiotilla, for his gallant defense of the six -gun
battery during the attack on That city
by large British force on the 18th and 18th
of September, 1914" 1t was accompanied
by the following letter, which with the sword
itself, was priced by Capt. Webster IS one of
his choicest treasures.
"fialtiAaore, May l |, 1916 To John A. Web
stcr, late of the Chesapeake FlotllaLSir:
The citizens of Baltimore, with the most
lively sentiments of gratitude to Won and
the brave men under your command during
the attack of the British ON this CITY, on the
18Th and 18th of September, 1914, appointed
us a committee TO present you some testimo-
ny Oft for your gallant and successful defense
OF the six gun battery.
"The committee in discharging this duty
have sincere pleasure in now presenting YOU
with n sword bearing an inscription com
memorative ofthe event for which it is pre-
sented, and beg your acceptance of it in the
name of the citizens of Baltimore
/ sin common with our fellow citizens, we
! have great pleasure in the remembrance of
your gallant conduct, and hope it will have
a happy influence on others similarly situa-
ted to follow so excellent an example
" The committee tender you assurances of
their highest personal regard, and of their
best wishes for your health and happiness.
Signed by John E. Howard, VIM. Lor.
man, Thomas Tenant, r. Gilmor, Jr,, Isaac
McKim and Fielding Lucas, Jr.
This elegant weapon, around which clus-
tered TO tue aged veteran SO many memories
of a hard fought engagement, he bequeathed
to his grandson, John A. Webster, Jr., the
brother of Lieut.. Leroy Webster
His sabre he left to his son, VIM. S. Web
ster. This sabre was TO Capt. Webster IN
especial. reminder of ;lhe;battlc of Bladens-
burg, in which with the rest of the officers
and men of the Chesapeake flotilla he was
ordered TO duty in the field. In this engage.
ment he rode his own horse, valuable ami
NAL, which was shot under him. The State
of Maryland subsequently paid him $500 for
wv ioSS vi Ills llolSt AlIcT tHlS lC uuu u SGb
of silver made, every piece of which was or
namented with miniature horse. He re-
quested that piece of this silver service
should be given to each ofhis younger grand
children after his death, as mcmento of their
grandfather.
The event of Capt. Webster's death was
anticipated by himself, and the same calm
ness and courage with which in life he had
been accustomed to prepare for a coming
event seemed to animate him. Every de.
tail concerning his death was foreseen and
provided for. BY his request the funeral
services were performed by his personal
friend and neighbor, the Rev. William f.
Brand, rector OF st. Marys Protestant Eps-
copal Church, to which his family belonged
After the solemn and impressive ritual of the
Church had been read, Mr. Brand paid an
eloquent and touching tribute to the deceased,
and preached an impressive sermon 10 the
large congregation before him. The coffin
containing the remains was then conveyed
to the grave in the family buryng ground,
on the farm adjoining, where his son-in-law,
Dr. VIM. Dallam, now resides this farm
being portion of the original large tract be.
longing to the Webster family.
The pall.bearers were Lieut. S. G. Shop
herd, Lieut.. A. E. Bateman and Engineer
James Ogden, of the revenue marine; Judge
James ID. Walters, A. Lngan Jarrett and
Major A. M. Hancock, of Hartford county
the delegation of Old Defenders acting as an
escort.
Capt. Webster was buried by the side of
| his wife, who died in 1869, aged 72 years.
His daughter who was the wife of Adjutant
General Bond, lies in the same enclosure.
Ten days before his death he was on n visit
to his granddaughter Mrs. VIM. s. Richard
son, at Bel Air. He was then still erect
and of the manly and commanding figure
which distinguished him. He died as he
wished to die, on the 4th of July.
In his last illness he was attended by his
son, DR.. j. Byas Webster who resided with
him, assisted by Drs +. Hall and W. S.
Richardson, of Bel Air
Capt. Webster leaves two sons and three
daughters. His sons arc DIR. j.. Byas Web
ster and VIM. s. Webster. His daughters
Mrs. Margaret Bissell, of Baltimore, widow
of the late Capt. VIM. II. Bissell of Bel Air;
Mrs. Patterson, wife Of John G.. Patterson, of
Wilmington, Del and Miss Susie H. Web
ster who, with her prolhers, reside at Mount
Adams.
In Baltimore city the flags of the City Hall,
Custom House, United States revenue cut
tiers Ewing, Guthrie and Search, were half
masted. Col. George p. Kane wrote to Gen
VIM. F. Barry, commanding Fort McIIenry,
notifying him of the death of Capt. Webster,
which elected the following reply:
"Headquarters, Fort McHenry, July @, 1877.
Col. George P. Kane, Baltimore
Sir: have the honor to acknowledge the
receipt of your note to-day. The military
service of the late Capt Webster in aid of
Fort McHenry and in the defence of Balti-
more in 1914 was certainly of the highest
Importance, and should be appreciated by
every patriotic American. l will cause the
flag of this fort to be half-masted and minute
guns to be fired at noon tomorrow, the hour
which you state has been appointed for
Capt. Webster's irterment. l am, dear sir,
Your obedint servant.
WILLIAM F. BARRY,
"Brcv. Maj. Gen. U. S. A, Col. I'd Arty.,
commanding Fort McHenry"
The flag of the fort was consequently
placed ut halt-mast and the minute guns