Draft of June 30, 1863.
I can find absolutely no record that Robert S. Otis actually served. It’s no wonder; why would he want to after his younger brother, Daniel, was killed 6-months previously, at the Battle of Fredericksburg. Perhaps his father, Erastus Otis, did not want to lose another son, and paid for a substitute to enlist in the Union Army in Robert’s behalf.
CLICK THE IMAGES TO SEE A LARGER VERSION.
Close-up of the above page:
What the record actually says:
Close-up of the above page:
What the record actually says:
Residence: Middletown, Maromas
Name: Otis, Robert S.
Age 1st July, 1863: 27
White or Colored: White
Profession, Occupation, or Trade: Stone Cutter
Married or Unmarried: M'd
Place of Birth: Conn.
Former Military Service: None
Remarks: n/a
Name: Otis, Robert S.
Age 1st July, 1863: 27
White or Colored: White
Profession, Occupation, or Trade: Stone Cutter
Married or Unmarried: M'd
Place of Birth: Conn.
Former Military Service: None
Remarks: n/a
The above advertisement is from the July 20, 1864 Middletown newspaper, "The Constitution." There was probably a similar one in the newspaper for June 1863 when Robert Otis had to sign the draft record.