Otho Holland Williams, born in Prince George’s County, Maryland, in 1749, entered the Revolutionary army in 1775, as a lieutenant. He steadily rose in rank, holding the position of adjutant-general under Greene. Though acting with skill and gallantry on all occasions, his fame chiefly rests on his brilliant achievement at the battle of Eutaw Springs, where his command gained the day for the Americans by their irresistible charge with fixed bayonets across a field swept by the fire of the enemy. On the 9th of May, 1782, he was made a brigadier-general, but retired from the army on the 6th of June, 1783, to accept the appointment of collector of customs for the State of Maryland, which office he held until his death on the 16th of July, 1800. |