Category. Permanent award.
Authority for the Award.
Department Bylaws Chapter VII, Article III, Section G: This award is presented by the Department Commander to a camp within the Department which had a net gain of five or more new brothers since the ending period of the previous annual report. For the purposes of this award, dual brothers are not considered. More than one camp may receive this award so long as they meet the criteria. No award shall be presented to a camp which did not meet the criteria.
The camp or camps to receive this award will be determined by the official records of the Department Secretary as determined by the Camp Annual Report.
In the event an encampment is being held before Camp Annual Reports are available, the awarding of the Leland J. Webb Camp Recruiting Award will be delayed until official results become available.
History of the Award.
This award was created in 2026 when the Thirtieth Annual Department Encampment amended the Department Bylaws to incorporate the award.
The award is named for Leland Justin Webb, who served as the first camp commander for the original Old Abe Camp 16 at Topeka, which was followed by serving as the Department Commander for the original Department of Kansas.
Material for the following was obtained from the National SUVCW web site; “Collected Biography Clippings”, Vol. 1; Kansas State Historical Society (KSHS), Topeka, Kansas; and MOLLUS Commandery of Kansas Circ. 16, Series 1893, dated Dec. 25, 1893, as obtained from KSHS.
Leland J. Webb held the distinction of being a Civil War Veteran, as well as being the son of a Civil War Veteran. In these capacities, he belonged to the Grand Army of the Republic (GAR), the Sons of Veterans, USA (SofV), and the Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States (MOLLUS). He also belonged to the Sons of the Revolution.
Leland J. Webb first enlisted on October 15, 1861, at the age of 15, as a drummer in Company H, 16th Wisconsin Infantry. He was discharged on August 25, 1862. Returning to Wisconsin he enlisted in Company I, 30th Wisconsin Infantry as a musician. He then enlisted with Company E, 1st Illinois Light Artillery and was discharged on July 15, 1865. He served in several major engagements including Pittsburg Landing, Tupelo, the Siege of Corinth, Guntown, Holly Springs, and Nashville. It was at the battle of Pittsburg Landing where the regiment suffered a terrible loss, with most of the troops being captured. The young Leland escaped, took his drum to a safe place, acquired a musket and went into the fight with a small remnant of the regiment. When the major
in command of the group asked Webb where his drum was, he replied, “Oh, the d–d thing won’t shoot, so I put it away.”
He moved to Ft. Scott, Kansas in 1868 and served for six months with the 19th Kansas Cavalry in service against the Indians. On December 11, 1869, he was admitted to the bar. He served as the first mayor of Columbus, Kansas. In 1870 he was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives. He married Helen Herman in 1870 and had two children. His son, Herman, died in infancy. His daughter, Mabel, later married Harry J. Wells of Topeka.
He served a number of positions in Lincoln Post 1, Department of Kansas, Grand Army of the Republic, and served as Aide de Camp to GAR Commander-in-Chief John P. Rea. He was responsible for introducing the resolutions recognizing the Sons of Veterans, USA by the Grand Army of the Republic.
In 1884, he served as the first Camp Commander of Sons of Veterans Old Abe Camp 16, in Topeka, Kansas. He was elected 3rd Grand Division Commander, doubling membership and camps in one year. He served as Kansas Division Commander in 1886.
He served several national positions, including Judge Advocate General. He was elected as the seventh Commander-in-Chief of the Sons of Veterans in 1890 and served with distinction. He died an untimely death on February 21, 1893, at Topeka, Kansas, at the age of forty-six. He is buried in Topeka Cemetery across from his father’s grave.
Recipients.
| Year | Recipent, Camp No. | Awarded By |
|---|---|---|
| Not yet awarded |
Department of Kansas SUVCW 