WILLIAMS, Otho Holland, soldier, born in Prince George county, Maryland, in March, 1749; died about 1800. His ancestors were among the earliest settlers in Maryland from England after Lord Baltimore became proprietor of the province. Otho was left an orphan at twelve years of age, and a few years later placed in the clerk's office of Frederick, Maryland, whence he was transferred to the clerk's office at Baltimore. In 1775 he was appointed a lieutenant in a rifle corps that was raised in Frederick county. The company to which he was attached marched to Boston, and the captain having been promoted, young Williams succeeded to the command. When Fort Washington was attacked he was a major. He was severely wounded, taken prisoner, and carried to New York, where he was released on his parole. On suspicion that he would open a secret correspondence with Washington, he was reapprehended and placed in confinement, where he suffered great indignities and cruelty. He was exchanged after fifteen months of imprisonment. During his captivity he was promoted to the command of the 6th regiment of the Maryland line, and after his exchange he participated in all the battles of that command. He acted as deputy adjutant-general of the southern army under General Horatio Gates; and General Nathanael Greene, on assuming command of that army, appointed Colonel Williams adjutant-general. During Greene's celebrated retreat he led the light corps that acted as a rear-guard, and did efficient service. At a critical moment in the battle of Eutaw, General Greene issued the order " Let Williams advance and sweep the field with his bayonets." He led a charge that gained him the highest honors of the day. Near the close of the war Williams was sent by General Greene with despatches to congress, and he was promoted by that body to the rank of brigadier-general. On the cessation of hostilities, General Williams settled in Baltimore, and was appointed by the governor collector of the port. He held that office under the governor's appointment until the adoption of the Federal constitution, and was then reappointed by Washington, retaining the office till his death. See memoir by Osmond Tiffany (Baltimore, 1851).