Joseph Webster was born on August 25, 1811, in Hampton, New Hampshire. He graduated from Dartmouth College in 1832 and studied law; in 1835 he became a civil engineer and was employed and commissioned in the Regular Army’s Topographical Engineers. He served in the Mexican-American War, resigned with the rank of captain in 1854, and settled in Chicago. At the start of the Civil War, Webster was appointed a paymaster, but was sent to Cairo, Illinois, where he supervised the building of defenses. Promoted to major, he served as General Ulysses S. Grant’s chief of staff during the Battle of Belmont on November 7, 1861.

On February 1, 1862, he received a token appointment as colonel of the 1st Illinois Light Artillery, giving him the rank needed to discharge the duties as chief of staff at the battles of Forts Henry, Donelson, and Shiloh.

He also served as chief of transportation of the Army of the Tennessee and Military Division of Mississippi, and as General William T. Sherman’s chief of staff.

At the end of the war he was brevetted to the rank of major general.

Webster returned to Chicago, where he served as city assessor and collector of revenue. Webster died in Chicago on March 12, 1876 and is buried in Rosehill Cemetery.

Carte-de-Visite by Unknown Photographer.

Image Courtesy Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield-WICR 31473