National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1882-06-03
COLONEL AMOS wEnsrER.
sketch OF the New ChIer Clerk OF q
Treasury Department.


The following sketch Of Colonel Amos Webster,
who on Thursday assumed the duties Of Chief
Clerk ofthe Treasury Department will be read
with interest by his maiy ffiends in this District,
where he has resided Tor so long time. Colonel
Webster was born in East Boston. Massachusetts,
TO which city his father, who was related TO the
great Massachusetts, statesman, Daniel Webster,
removed from New Hampshire. He was educated
In the public schools, and then engaged In busi-
ness in Boston; but when the war of the rebellion
broke out he enlisted MS private In the First
Massachusetts Infantry, which was the first volun-
teer regiment that was recruited for three years,
nnd participated In all the battles OF the ilrst
peninsula campaign. He was promoted to leu
tenancy for gallantry at the battle of Williamsburg,
Virginia, ut the request Of General Hooker, who,
IN HIS LETTER TO GOVERNOR ANDREW,
said, Permit me to commend to your favorable
consideration, Private Amos Webster, of Boston,
ID Company, First Reg mdht Infantry. The crcum-
stances Of his case are peculiar. This young man
enlisted from purely patriotic motives, he was well
reared, is of cultivated tastes good education, and
In character and conduct is irreproachuble. In
aSSn he IS wei SS eT h 10 hg1II BoU
all the officers Of his regiment that in zeal, fidelity
and capacity in the discharge Of his duties, no one
can present more satisfactory claims TO advance.
ment. III his case promotion will be the reward of
most gallant and distinguished services on the
battlefield and Of merit, and will be of MS much
real value TO the regiment and TO his country, rs
to the recipient. II you should look favorably
upon these suggestions, | earnestly recommend
!nnt young WEBSTER be made second lieutenant
III the Army"
LIEUTENANT WEBSTER WAS SUBSEQUENTLY DETAILED
as aide de- camp OIL General Hooker's staff, from
which grade he was promoted to captain, Flfth
United states Cavalry, and assigned TO the stan Of
General U. $. Grant by President Lincoln. He
was also brevetted major, lieutenant. colonel, and
colonel, and served MS such with Generals lug0ls,
SicklCs, and French. There was not an engage
mcnt Of any note in which the Army of G Poo.
mac participated from Blackburns Ford, Va,
July *, 1861, to the surrender Of General Lee Mt
Appomatox. In 1865, in which Colonel Webster was
not engaged. He was the staff officer who carried
so many important messages for General Grant
during the war and much that would be of great
Interest could be given of his fidelity, zeal, and
high courage.
AFTER THE WAR CLOSED
Colonel Webster was on duty Mt Army head
quarters with General Grant, who when he be-
came President, appointed his former aid register
of wills. In this position, which he filled for
nearly thirteen years he gave complete and abso-
Lutte satisfaction, and dignihed tue office by his
mcthodical business habits. His removal was re-
GREETED especially by the judges and bar, the
former having in letter to President II,Ses said:
" Ills removal would be highly unfortunate" and
"his retention would best subserve the interests
of the court and the people OF the District of Co.
lumbia." Q. lionel Webster has been actively inter-
csted in the District militia, having been mp
pointed acknowledgement In 1871. He carries to
his new Office large business capacity, strict in
tegrity, aud an honorable, upright purpose.