Joseph Dana Webster

Who was Joseph Dana Webster?

Joseph Dana Webster was a United States civil engineer and soldier most noted for administrative services during the American Civil War, where he served as chief of staff to both Ulysses S. Grant and William T. Sherman.

Webster was born in New Hampshire in 1811. He graduated from Dartmouth College in 1832 and worked as a civil engineer. He joined the U.S. army in 1838, serving as 2nd lieutenant in the U.S. Topographical Engineers. He fought in the Mexican–American War and by 1853 was captain of the U.S. Engineers. Webster resigned from the army in 1854.

A few years later the outbreak of the Civil War brought Webster back into the service of the army. On June 1, 1861 he was appointed major in the U.S. Army Paymasters. In September he became chief of staff to Ulysses S. Grant. On February 1, 1862 Webster was appointed colonel of the 1st Illinois Light Artillery Regiment, but remained as Grant's chief of staff through the battles of Belmont, Fort Henry, Fort Donelson, and Shiloh. On the eve of the first day's fighting at Shiloh, Webster was instrumental in massing the artillery in support of Grant's last line of defense near Pittsburg Landing. On November 29, 1862 he was promoted to brigadier general of U.S. volunteers.