Medal of Honor recipient for gallantry at the Battle of Gettysburg in repulsing Pickett's Charge

(1835-1911) Born in New York City, he graduated in the West Point class of 1855. He fought against the Florida Seminoles after his graduation, and returned to the U.S. Military Academy in 1856 as an instructor in mathematics. At the outbreak of the Civil War he took part in the defense of Fort Pickens, Florida, and also served at 1st Bull Run and in the 1862 Virginia Peninsular campaign. During the 1862 Antietam campaign, Webb was chief of staff of General Fitz John Porter's 5th Corps. Just prior to the battle of Gettysburg, he was promoted to brigadier general, and took command of the 2nd Brigade, General John Gibbon's Division, of General Winfield S. Hancock's 2nd Corps. On July 3, 1863, during the 3rd day's battle at Gettysburg, Webb's four Pennsylvania regiments were posted in the vicinity of the copse of trees which was the focal point of the famous Pickett's charge. His command lost 451 men killed and wounded in this encounter, Webb among the wounded, and was awarded the Medal of Honor for his gallantry! He was very seriously wounded at Spotsylvania, Virginia, in May 1864, and did not return to duty until January 1865, when he became chief of staff to General George G. Meade. Webb received the brevet of major general in both the regular and volunteer services. He again taught at the United States Military Academy after the war, and was honorably discharged from the army in 1870. He then accepted the presidency of the College of the City of New York. General Webb is buried at West Point.

Wet plate, albumen carte de visite photograph, mounted to 2 3/8 x 4 card. Superb quality half view in uniform with rank of brigadier general. His kepi is just visible at the lower right of the image. Back mark: E. & H.T. Anthony, New York, 501 Broadway, New York, From Photographic Negative in Brady's National Portrait Gallery. Very sharp image. Extremely desirable Gettysburg General. Rare. I have not had an Alexander S. Webb image in many years! They do not come much nicer than this one.