Tag: Tidball (John C.)

Wikipedia says: John Caldwell Tidball (January 25, 1825 – May 15, 1906) was a career military officer, noted for his service in the horse artillery in the cavalry in the Union Army during the American Civil War. After the war, he served as the Commander of the Department of Alaska (in effect, the Appointed Military Governor of the region).

…Tidball served all through the Civil War, receiving five brevet commissions for gallant and meritorious conduct on the field, and being complimented personally by President Abraham Lincoln for his work at the Battle of Gettysburg, where he was in command of the Second Brigade Horse Artillery under Major General Alfred Pleasonton. He served in most of the major campaigns in the Eastern Theater, from the First Battle of Bull Run through the Siege of Petersburg.

At the outbreak of hostilities, he ranked as a first lieutenant and section chief in Captain William F. Barry’s Company A, 2nd Regiment of Artillery. After Barry’s promotion, on May 14, 1861, Tidball was promoted to captain and became the company commander. Tidball served with his “flying” battery as part of the famed U.S. Horse Artillery Brigade from its inception in 1861 until June 1863. In 1862, he was credited with introducing the custom of sounding “Taps” to conclude a military funeral.

With slow advancement in the ranks of the Regular Army (United States) (especially in the artillery branch), Tidball sought higher responsibilities elsewhere, by accepting a commission in the U.S. Volunteers. He was appointed colonel of the 4th New York Heavy Artillery Regiment, August 28, 1863. He commanded Brigade 4 of the Defenses South of the Potomac XXII Corps (Union Army), September 2, 1863–November 5, 1863, transferring to the command of Brigade 3, November 5, 1863 to March 26, 1864.

Tidball commanded the artillery of the II Corps of the Army of the Potomac during the Overland Campaign, including the Battle of the Wilderness, April 1864–July 6, 1864. He was commandant of cadets at West Point from July 10, 1864 to September 22, 1864. He then returned to the field, leading the artillery of the IX Corps from October 8, 1864 until April 24, 1865 in the Appomattox Campaign and April 24, 1865–June 30, 1865 in the Department of Washington. He then resumed command of Brigade 3, of the Defenses South of the Potomac XXII Corps (Union Army). Tidball was mustered out of the volunteers on September 26, 1865.

On December 12, 1864, President Abraham Lincoln nominated Tidball for appointment to the grade of brevet brigadier general of volunteers, to rank from August 1, 1864, and the United States Senate confirmed the appointment on February 20, 1865.

On July 17, 1866, President Andrew Johnson nominated Tidball for appointment to the grade of brevet brigadier general in the regular United States Army, to rank from March 13, 1865, and the United States Senate confirmed the appointment on July 23, 1866.

On January 13, 1866, President Andrew Johnson nominated Tidball for appointment to the grade of brevet major general of volunteers, to rank from April 2, 1865, and the United States Senate confirmed the appointment on March 12, 1866.