# General Webb — The History of Henry Esmond character guide

> General Webb in The History of Henry Esmond by William Makepeace Thackeray.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Webb, Mr. Webb, Lieutenant-General Webb, honest Mr. Webb, General Webb

**First appearance:** 0027-ix-i-make-the-campaign-of-1704

## Who they are

Six-foot-three of Wiltshire pride, Webb commands the Fusileers and measures himself daily against Marlborough — a brave, vain, generous old soldier.

## Relationships

### [Henry Esmond](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_henry_esmond_se/characters/henry_esmond)

_professional_

General Webb is Henry's commanding officer in the army, who respects Henry's bravery and promotes his career.

### [Henry Esmond](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_henry_esmond_se/characters/henry_esmond)

_professional_

General Webb is Henry's commanding officer in the army, who respects Henry's bravery and promotes his career.

### [Henry Esmond](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_henry_esmond_se/characters/henry_esmond)

_professional_

General Webb is Henry's commanding officer in the army, who respects Henry's bravery and promotes his career.

## In the story

### [X: An Old Story About a Fool and a Woman](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_henry_esmond_se/chapters/x-an-old-story-about-a-fool-and-a-woman)

Colonel of the Fusileer regiment; a handsome, self-satisfied officer who rivals the Duke of Marlborough; Esmond pays his respects to him in London.

### [XI: The Famous Mr. Joseph Addison](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_henry_esmond_se/chapters/xi-the-famous-mr-joseph-addison)

Mentioned as Esmond's colonel who commanded a brigade at Blenheim; Addison laments lacking a rhyme for his name.

### [XII: I Get a Company in the Campaign of 1706](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_henry_esmond_se/chapters/xii-i-get-a-company-in-the-campaign-of-1706)

Commands the left flank at Ramillies; Esmond serves under him and is mentioned favorably in his report.

### [I Meet an Old Acquaintance in Flanders, and Find My Mother's Grave and My Own Cradle There](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_henry_esmond_se/chapters/xiii-i-meet-an-old-acquaintance-in-flanders-and-find-my-mother-s-grave-and-my-own-cradle-there)

Mentioned by Holt as a relation of Lord St. John and as being from Wiltshire.

### [XIV: The Campaign of 1707, 1708](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_henry_esmond_se/chapters/xiv-the-campaign-of-1707-1708)

Gallant but boastful commander of the Fusileers; critical of Marlborough and victorious at Wynendael.

### [General Webb Wins the Battle of Wynendael](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_henry_esmond_se/chapters/xv-general-webb-wins-the-battle-of-wynendael)

Hero of Wynendael, celebrated by Tories, and grateful to Esmond; his victory is contrasted with Marlborough's alleged greed.

### [I: I Come to an End of My Battles and Bruises](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_henry_esmond_se/chapters/i-i-come-to-an-end-of-my-battles-and-bruises)

Esmond's patron; appointed to command a division; wounded at Oudenarde; believes Marlborough intended him to be beaten at Wynendael.

### [III: A Paper Out of the Spectator](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_henry_esmond_se/chapters/iii-a-paper-out-of-the-spectator)

Visits Esmond at his lodging; discusses the Wynendael affair.

### [Mohun Appears for the Last Time in This History](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_henry_esmond_se/chapters/v-mohun-appears-for-the-last-time-in-this-history)

Esmond's old commander, now Lieutenant-General of the Land Forces, celebrated by the Ministry and the public, and triumphant over Marlborough's disgrace.

### [A Great Scheme, and Who Balked It](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_henry_esmond_se/chapters/xii-a-great-scheme-and-who-balked-it)

One of the generals present at the King's Arms, eager to fight Marlborough, and waves his crutch at the prospect.

### [Endnotes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_henry_esmond_se/chapters/endnotes)

General Webb is noted as being favored by Henry Esmond over the Duke of Marlborough; his portrait is at Castlewood, Virginia.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_henry_esmond_se/characters/general_webb
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_henry_esmond_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_henry_esmond_se/characters