The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1911-02-13
GEN. ALEXANDERS. WEBBDEAD
NENT WEDNESDAI u ~ In nv T.
nEEN ms ;GTE EIRTHDiI.
president Of the tit. College for 81
Years Fought Through the (i,il
War and Game out Brc,rt VIA Tor.
General Golden Wedding In 1905.

Gen. Alexander S. Webb died last
night at his home in Riyerdae. He had
been Ill most Of the winter. but his con-
dtion did not become critical until a
Few days ago. For the last thrty-six
hours before his death there was no hope
OF recovery His entire family was at
his bedside.
Gen. Webb was president of the City
College for thrty-three years until 1903.
He was born in Carroll place. New York.
February Is. 1885. His father was Gen
james Watson Webb. editor of the Courier
and Enquirer. and his mother was Helen
Lspenard Stewart He was a grandson
of Gen. Samuel b. Webb of the Cont
mental Army. He was graduated from
West Point and az Second Lieut. enant Of
Artillery in 1855 went to Florida to HELM
quell the Seminole Indians. He returned
10 West Point as assistant professor of
mathematics and was there when called
INTO active service at the beginning Of
the civil war. After helping relieve Fort
Pickens in Florida he was with the Army
of the Potomac from the first battle Of
Bull Run until the surrender of Lee. He
became q First Lieutenant. captain and
then Major. all IN the year 1861. After
Blill Run he participated in all the battles
of the peninsular campaign as assistant
chief Of artillery and a. Lieutenant
lolone and lnspector-General Of the
Fifth Army Corps and Chief of STAFF of
Ma jor-Gen. Fitz-John Porter.
At Gettysburg Webb was in command
II the Second Brigade Of the Second hi
vision Of the Second Corps. When the
fighting was hottest on july g. 1859 he
np tho Of tho pt,.-
through the bullet zone to the SIXTY
ninth Pennsylvania and directed the fire
of that regiment upon COMPANY of Con
federates whom Gen. Armsteld, a class
mate Of Gen Webb NJ West Point. had
led across n stone wall Both Gen. Webb
and Gen. Armste ld were wounded and
more than half of Gen Webhs men were
killed or hurt For gallnn,rv in this action
Gen. Webb received a medal from Con-
gress and was brevetted Major in the
Regular army. He became commander
Of his division. and for bravery al Bris-
zoe station in October. 1863 he was hre-
vetted Lieutenant Colonel.
He commanded a brigade III the Battle
OF the Wilderness and at ~ ottsyivania
In the latter fight he was shot from his
horse and had TO 60 on SICK leave from
MAY. 1884, to January. 1885 He returned
to the war a. Ma jor General and Chief
Of Stan Of the Army of the Potomac
was made brevet Major-tieneral OF tho
Regular army
After the war Gen Webb was az West
Point for a time a. acting professor Of
law. On the reorganization of the army
he became Lieutenant t olonel ot the
tortv-fourth Infantry and then com
mander OF the military district oi VIZ
ginia. On December 3, 1870, having been
appointed president of the City lolleg.
he was discharged from the service at his
own request
Gen Webb was the author of The
Peninsula Mcclellan Campaign of ls62.
which drew a Congrat ulatory note from
Gen. sherman and the admonition.
Always be careful what you write. for
we all believe what comes ont of your
noddle Most of McClellan's failures
Gen Webb ascribed TO lack of a proper
stan He thought McClellans movement
from Gaines's Mill to MalSern Hill zone
made in war" Gen. Webb wrote many
articles on the war for the Century and
other mag zines When the late Ward
McAllister made up his once celebrated
list Of the iOn he included Gen. Webb in II
The last fight of his life was that which
he made for the splendid new buildings
Of the new college He went to Albany
during the sessions of the Legislature for
several years. buttonholed members and
addressed committees with tireless per-
sis'cncy and vigor Those who worked
sid. by side with him said that his appeals
and his personality were the det.rmiring Z
factors in winning the struggle
Gen Webb and Mrs. Webb, who was a
daughter of Henry Rutgers Remsen
celebrated their golden wedding on
November -. 1906 AZ the home of their
son law and daughter Mr. and Mrs
John +. Alexandra The General was the
guest of honor of the city College alumni
a. a dinner at the Hotel Astor in January
Of last year
He is survived by his wife four
daughters. Mrs Alexandra. Mrs George
PARSONS and the Misses Anne and
Caroline and a son. A \ Webb. Jr
president Of the Lincoln Trust tornpany
Or Seward Webb. Major Creighton
Webb and F Egerton Webb are half
brothers of Gen Webb. and the aged
widow Of Col James G Benton is his full
sister
Gen Webb was man Of splendid
physique His head, with a great shock
OF black hair. and beard. later snow white.
gave him leonine air. which a certain
fire in his eye enhanced His appear
ancc was s,rikingly handsome His
manners were of uncommon distinction,
as was also his conversational ability
He was a ready and entert aiming speaker
Despite his long pedagogical service he
never ceased TO he soldier III bearing
and temperament