his chief to the Philippine Islands, arriving March 10, 1899. He was assigned as adjutant-general 1st division, 8th army corps, March 19, 1899, and his volunteer commission was vacated, October 1, 1899, when he was commissioned lieutenant-colonel, 47th United States volunteer infantry, and was mustered out June 2, 1901. He never served with his volunteer regiment, however, remaining on the staff of General Lawton up to the time of Lawton's death and accompanying his body to Washington, District of Columbia. He was on duty in the office of the secretary of war as chief of the Division of Customs and Insular Affairs from February 12, 1900, and served continuously as acting assistant adjutant-general to July 1, 1902, when he was made colonel, United States army, and chief of the Bureau of Insular Affairs, which was created by the act of congress of the same date.
He participated in all the battles in the war with the Filipinos in which General Lawton engaged, and he was recommended by his chief for brevet of major. United States army, for the battle of Santa Cruz, April 10, 1899; for the brevet of lieutenant-colonel, United States army, for expedition to the Province of Bulucan, Nueva Eoija and Paufauga, Luzon, April 22-May 30, 1899; for brevet of colonel. United States army, for battle of Moring, June 6, 1899; for brevet of brigadier-general of volunteers for battle of Gapote River, June 13, 1899 : "For distinguished gallantry in the face of the enemy."
Colonel Edwards was married June 9, 1899, to Bessie Rochester, daughter of A. Augustus and Julia (Granger) Porter of Niagara Falls, New York. He received the honorary degree of A.M. from St. John's college, Fordham, New York. He says: "Doing one's duty for duty's sake will give commensurate satisfaction and ultimate reward."
