William Badger Tibbits (March 31, 1837 – February 10, 1880) was an officer in the Union Army during the American Civil War.

[1] 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 has been with it on every picket, march, and reconnoissance, and in every skirmish and battle, at Big Bethel, Fair Oaks, Glendale, Malvern Hill, Bristow, and Bull Run.

[2]This recommendation was duly honored by the State of New York, and Captain Tibbits was appointed major of the regiment, his commission bearing date October 13, 1862.

[2] About the time that the completion of the regiment was assured, a number of Major Tibbits' personal friends testified their appreciation of his bravery and merit by the gift of a sword, which bore the following inscriptions: Col. Wm.

Troy, N. Y., Nov. 18, 1863.New Market Bridge, Big Bethel, Fair Oaks, Glendale, Malvern Hill, Bristow, Second Bull Run, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville.

His services, performed early in the succeeding June, were acknowledged as follows: Baltimore, Md., August 29, 1864.Colonel, — I regret exceedingly that the suddenness with which I left my command at Staunton, Va., on account of my wound, prevented me from issuing the order which I had intended to, and which you so justly deserved, commending you for your gallant conduct at the battle of Piedmont, June 5, 1864, and on which day it was my pleasure to thank you and your gallant regiment (on the battlefield) for the brilliant success they had achieved.

The faithful and efficient manner in which you discharged your every duty while under my command has won for you my highest esteem and best wishes for your every undertaking; and as merit for the criterion for promotion in our army, I feel confident that the promotion for brigadier-general will be reward for your gallant services.Very sincerely and truly, Your friend,Stahl, Maj. Gen.To Col. William B. Tibbits, 21st New York Cavalry.

[2] That such recognition was not lacking appears by the following communication: Headquarters 1st Cavalry Division, Dep't of West Virginia.Hancock, Md., Aug. 5, 1864.Maj.-Gen. David Hunter, Commanding Department of West Virginia, Monocacy Junction, Md.Sir, — I have the honor to recommend for gallantry in action, and efficiency under all circumstances in the field, Col. William B. Tibbits, 21st NY Vol.

This reporl has been forwarded to the head-quarters of Brevet Major-General Crook, commanding forces in the field, Department of West Virginia.I am, General, very respectfully, Your obedient servant,A.

John A. Griswold a stand of colors, the regulation-flag and the regimental standard, both being of heavy silk, and bearing appropriate devices and embellishments embroidered upon them.

[2] In the 1880 book, History of Rensselaer Co., New York, author Nathaniel Bartlett Sylvester wrote that on November 17, 1864, Colonel Tibbits received an official communication from the War Department, conferring on him the designation of brevet brigadier-general, with rank from October 21, 1864.

[3] His reference to the Official Records only shows the August 7, 1864 letter from Major General David Hunter recommending the promotion, the same information cited by Sylvester.

[9] Nathaniel Bartlett Sylvester, writing in 1880, makes the following appraisal of Tibbits: "a man whose sound judgment when advice was needed, whose bravery when fighting was to be done, and whose celerity in movement when action was required, won for him, in the stations which he filled, the reputation of being a skillful soldier, and, at the same time, one of the most intrepid spirits of the war.