Background
Howard, Oliver Otis was born on November 8, 1830 in Leeds, Maine, United States. Son of Rowland Bailey and Eliza (Otis) Howard.
Howard, Oliver Otis was born on November 8, 1830 in Leeds, Maine, United States. Son of Rowland Bailey and Eliza (Otis) Howard.
Attended district schools and academics. Graduate Bowdoin College, 1850, Master of Arts, 1853, West Point, 1854. (Doctor of Laws, Waterville College, 1865, Shurtleff College, 1865, Gettysburg Theological Seminary, 1866, and Bowdoin College).
Bvt. Second lieutenant ordnance, July 1, 1854. Appointed Second lieutenant, February 15, 1855. First lieutenant, July 1, 1857.
Resigned, June 7, 1861.
Colonel 3d Maine Infantry United States.V., June 4, 1861. Brigadier general, September 3, 1861.
Major general, November 29, 1862. Honorary mustered out of volunteer service, January 1, 1869.
Appointed brigadier general United States of America, December 21, 1864.
Major general, March 16, 1886. Retired by operation of law, November 8, 1894. Bvtd. major general, March 13, 1865, for gallant and meritorious services at battle of Ezra Church and during campaign against Atlanta.
Received thanks of Congress, January 28, 1864, for Gettysburg.
Awarded medal of honor, March 29, 1893, for distinguished bravery at battle of Fair Oaks, Virginia, June 1, 1862, where was twice severely wounded in right arm, necessitating its amputation.
Served in Seminole campaign in Florida.
Married Elizabeth Ann Waite, February 14, 1855.