Otis A. Baker

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Otis A. Baker.

Birth: 1838, Rehoboth, Bristol County, Massachusetts.
Death: Jun. 14, 1910, Swansea, Bristol County, Massachusetts.

Parents: Ira Stillman Baker (1812 - 1889), Sarah Ann Allen Baker (____ - 1841).

Wife's: Harriet L Martin Baker (1843 - 1923), Mary E Bliss Baker (1846 - 1868).

Children: Nellie Baker (1868 - 1868).

Burial: Village Cemetery, Rehoboth, Bristol County, Massachusetts.

Regimental History of the Third Massachusetts Volunteer Militia.

Captain Baker  father, Ira S. Baker, was one of the foremost men of Kehoboth, having held the first offices of the  town for 3^eai-s. He was also a member of the House of Representatives in Boston. After graduating from the public schools of Rehoboth Captain Baker learned the trade of a mason, in which business he was very successful ; notwithstanding, when the war broke out he left his remunerative business in Providence, R. I., and enlisted in Company A, First Rhode Island Detached Militia, for three months.

He served his full term, being engaged with his regiment at the battle of Bull Run, where he received a wound in his arm. Having been discharged and having recovered from his wound, he re-enlisted as first sergeant in Company A, Fourth Rhode Island Infantry, September, 1861, and was promoted to second lieutenant, Nov. 20, 1861. He was with his regiment in the well remembered Burnside Expedition, taking part in the capture of Roanoke Island and the battle of Newbern, and remaining with his regiment until Aug. 11, 1862, when he resigned his commission. The cause of his resignation, together with over half of the commissioned officers of the regiment, was the action of Governor Sprague in taking an officer from another regiment and giving him a place over them as one of the field officers. 

Soon after his arrival home I met Lieutenant Baker in Providence and invited him to go with Company H as first lieutenant, it being understood then that the captaincy was settled ; his answer was that he intended to see the war through and was ready for anything that might offer. Lieutenant Baker at that time was twenty-four years old; he was indeed a giant, standing six feet four in his stockings, straight as an arrow, well versed in military tactics.; and, although the youngest of the captains in the Third Regiment, his ability as officer was never questioned, nor had the company any reason to regret its choice of him as their captain.

Resolute by nature, kind in heart, he was a man who did things; always doing his duty regardless of consequences to himself. He exacted from every man of his company a strict and impartial obedience to himself and to all officers with whom they were to render duty. At the battle of Kinston, N. C, as we were formed into line of battle, expecting momentarily to be ordered to the front to take a more active part. Captain Baker made this little speech, "In a few moments we shall be where we shall see more active and more dangerous work, but no matter what we may meet let not a man of you run until I run, but when you see me run then let every man run like he devil." Sufficient to say, no man was seen running.

Authors note.  If you would like to read more about Otis A. Baker take this link.
http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GSln=baker&GSfn=otis&GSmn=a&GSbyrel=all&GSdyrel=all&GSob=n&GRid=83097277&df=all&