OTIS, ELWELL STEPHEN, an American military officer; born in Fred erick, Md., March 25, 1838; was gradu ated at Rochester (N. Y.) University in 1858, and began the study of law. When the Civil War broke out, he entered the volunteer service as captain in the 140th New York Infantry. He took an active part in the battle of Gettysburg. At the battle of the Wilderness, he commanded as lieutenant-colonel the picket line of the 5th Corps, which brought on the en gagement. At Spottsylvania the regi ment lost its colonel and Otis succeeded to the command. He was severely wounded near Petersburg, Oct. 1, 1864, and was disabled for duty. He was dis charged from the volunteer service Jan. 24, 1865, with the brevet rank of Briga dier-General. In 1866 he was appointed lieutenant-colonel of the 22d United States Infantry, and became colonel of the 20th Infantry in 1880. From 1867
to 1881 he served with the army in the West against the Indians. In 1881 he organized the School of Infantry and Cavalry at Fort Leavenworth, Kan.; Nov. 28, 1893, was promoted to the full rank of Brigadier-General. On Dec. 1 of the same year he was assigned to the com mand of the Department of the Columbia, with headquarters at Vancouver, and in 1897 was transferred to the Department of Colorado. On May 28, 1898, he was appointed Major-General of volunteers and assigned to duty in command of the Department of the Pacific, and as mili tary governor of the Philippines, which office he held till May 5, 1900. He was a member of the Philippine commission, and on June 16, 1900, was promoted Major-General, U. S. A., and later as signed to the Department of the Lakes. He died Oct. 21, 1909.