Evening star., 1898-11-03

der, April j. 1861, in the 1st Massachusetts,
Infantry, and when the armies of Gen.
Lee Were surrendered at ApnomattoX he
was present as a member of the personal
staff of Gen. Grant.
During the war ne gained promotion after
promotion for gallantry in action, being
nade second lieutenant, first lieutenant
captain. major and lieutenant colonel He
was wounded several times, besides having
two horses shot under him.
His Career in This City.
Aft=r the surrender Col. Webster accom-
pa MED Gen. Grant TO this city and con-
t:nued on his staff, being stationed at
headquarters at 1Ith and F streets, remain
ing on this duty until Gen. Grant was elect
ed to the presidency He offered, but
declined the position of military aid in
charge of the Whit House, and having de-
c:ded to leave the military service in which
he had served so faithfully and well PreSi-
dent Grant selected him for the important
rC Csition of register of wills of the District
of Columbia, which he filed most capably
for twelve years. During the territorial
government in the District he served as
chief of staff to Governor Henry d. Cooke,
and also was on tine staff of the latter's
successor, Governor Alexander Il. Shep-
herd. He studied law while register of
wills with James G. Payne. and after he
ing admitted to the bar and retiring from
the r.gistership. he made a specially of
legal mission he brought to a successful
termination for his client claim involving z
a large amount of money.
In the Treasury.
Upon his return to Washington Gen.
Giant recommended him to President Ar
thur for appointment as chief clark and eX-
acLtive officer cf the Treasury Department.
He served two years. resigning on account
of ill-health but afterward recovering suf-
fic.entiy to return to duty he was made
the teller of the controller of the currency
by Secretary Foster. He filled this place
for three years, when he was summarily
removed by Secretary Carlisle on political
grounds. He was greatly affected by this
action. and it is believed that the worry
caused by it brought on the illnass from
which he never entirely recovered. Col
Webster in his thirty-fve years residence
in the District was always an earnest
champion of the best interests of the capi-
tai Personally he was very popular, and
his CHEEKY disposition made him many last
ing friends He adjutant general of
the District National Guard for thirteen
years. aud on many occasions was desig-
mated to command it as brigadier general
by the President and the general of the
army, who was then Gen. Sherman.
Family Connections.
Col. Webster was in the sixty second year
of his age. He was a son of the late Amos
Webster Of New Hampshire who was a
cousin of DaEiel Webster and his mother
was Miss Tufts Of the distinguished Nassa-
chusftts family of that name. He leaves
a widow, who was Miss Adela s. Wilson of
this city. and son and a daughter The
former is Clarence L. Webster, Cne OF the
travelling auditors Of the Equitable Life
Insurance Company. and the latter the
wife of Mr.. Alexander S. Merchant who is
a nephew and namesake of Gov Shepherd
The arrangements for the funera! have
not baen made, but it will take place Sat
urday afternoon from the Western Pres
byterian Church. of the board of trustees
of which Col. Webster was president