William Badger Tibbits

William Badger Tibbits (March 31, 1837 – February 10, 1880) was an officer in the Union Army during the American Civil War. He raised a company of infantry in the 2nd New York Infantry, and led it as captain, and later major, till 1863, when he was authorized to raise and lead a regiment of cavalry, the 21st New York Cavalry, and was promoted to colonel. On January 13, 1866, President Andrew Johnson nominated Tibbits for appointment to the grade of brigadier general of volunteers, to rank from October 18, 1865, and the United States Senate confirmed the appointment on February 23, 1866. On May 4, 1866, President Johnson nominated Tibbits for appointment to the grade of brevet major general of volunteers to rank from March 13, 1865, and the United States Senate confirmed the appointment on May 16, 1866. Life William Badger Tibbits, the youngest son of George Mortimer Tibbits, was born at Hoosick, in Rensselaer County, New York, on March 31, 1837. His early youth was passed partly in Troy and partly in the country, and after having received elementary instruction at various schools, he graduated from Union college in 1859. He was engaged in business at Troy when, on the morning of April 15, 1861, news of the Rebellion starting in the South reached his ears. Heeding the Federal appeal, he at once left his office and obtained papers authorizing him to raise a company in a regiment which it was that day decided should be formed in Troy. He never returned to the business which he had abandoned, and in consequence of this abandonment the business proved to him a total loss. His efforts as a soldier, from this point forward, were unwearied. He recruited more men for his company than any other person connected with it, and it was accepted, on April 23, 1861, as a part of the 2nd Regiment New York State Volunteers, with the following officers: Captain, William B. Tibbits; 1st Lieutenant, James Savage; 2nd Lieutenant, William Sullivan. The company was known as G company, and Tibbits was mustered into the service as captain on May 14, 1861. An idea of the nature of his services during the next seventeen months may be gained from the following recommendation: