Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1878-07-23


of the highest court in Maine and Mr. Shep-
ley assumed the re pOnslbiiity Of large aud i'm
/. portant business, with the confident assurance
of all who had Observed him, that young
as he was he was equal to the work he under
took He associated with him John W. Dana,
Ed. now deceased, and was recognized in
the foremost rank of the bar which numbered
among its active members Gen. Samuel Fessen-
den, Thomas Amory Deblois, William Pitt Fes-
sender, r. II. l.. Goldman, Edward Fox, and other
distinguished councillors.
10 1853 he was made United States District At
torney for Maine bv President Pierce and held the
position till June 1861, having been resppointed IN
1857 by President Buchanan. While occupYing
that office, though called upon to conduct many
important and difficult cases for the government t.,
he retained the large private practice of former
years, aud constantly added to his professional
reputation.
Though entertaining strong political convictions
in sympathy with the democratic party, up to 1861
he did not to any great extent participate in polt-
cal affairs. But he was too prominent a person to
he permitted to alb tain wholly from the excite
ment of party conflicts and IN 1890 was elected
State Senator. He occasionally addressed conven-
tons and took part in political discussions, never
failing to add To his reputation and influence. In
1860 he was delegate at large to the National
democratic Convention at Charlie ston, aud attend
ed its adjourned session at Baltimore. The Maine
dcegs tiGn divided five to three-fve for Mr..
Douglass and three for Mr.. & IthIle Among the
latter was Judge Shepley. He took prominent
part in the convention aud the speech which he
made in response TO the call for the state of Maine
became famous. In the campaign which followed
he supported Mr.. Douglass.
Upon the election OF President Lincoln he was
not found among those who svmpathzed with, or
apologizcd for the aitempt to break up the Uno1
He was true To his convictions and in September
u. 1861 accepted 4 commission as Colonel Of the
18th Maine Volunteers, a regiment raised TO form
part of the New England division of Gen. Benz.
F. Butler He left Portland with his command
Nov. "a. 1861. for Lowell, Mass. where he re-
manned iii Jan. |, 1862; ON the 18th of February,
1862 he arrived at Ship Island, and on the - OF
the same month nv general order No. 2. OF De-
psrtment of the Gulf. was placed in command of
the 3 Brigade, consisting of the 18th, 18th IAN
and 18th Maine, the Both Massachusetts regiments
the lst Maine battery and Magces cavalry.
On the occupation of New Orleans he was made
military comma ndsnt of that city, 10 this ardu-
Gus and responsible place, he 30 administered sf
FAIRS as to win the respect and affections of the
conquered and embitteled inhabitants, and to Sc
cure the confidence and approval of those above
him His duties were both civil aat military, and
in both he manifested prudence, energy and abili-
W, which were repeatedly commended, ana on the
third day Of June was honorabv recognized by
his appointment bv President Lincoln upon the
recomme ndauon of the Secretary Of War As Mill
tary Governor of the State of Louisiana, with
full powers, including the power 20 establish all
necessary offices and tribunals and susp md the
writ of habeas corpus. July 2Oth he was ap-
pointed Brgadier General to rank from July Is,
1862 AsMitsiy Governor OF Louisiana he fully
sustained the high reputation he had established
as commandment OF the city.
Upon the Inauguration of a civil governor he
was at his own reql nest. relieved by the President
aud ordered to report again to the Adlutant Gen
ers of the army for service in the field. When
he left New Orleans, leading and influential citi-
zens testified their appreciation of hi. admnistra
ton by an address commencing a. follows:
I'VE, citizens of New Orleans, avail ourselves of
the opportunity afforded us bv the close OF your
official career among US. TO give expression to the
sentiments OF regard and esteem with which your
character and conduct have inspired ia. For
nearly two years you have erforned tue delicate
and arduous du'its Of mi tary vernon OF Louis
lana in manner beyond al praise, winning in
your on ,ie capacity the respect OF the whole com.
munty, and by yoar social virtues converting all
who have enjoyed the pleasure of your acquain-
lance into warm personal friends"
Upon being relieved in Louisiana he was or
dered to report for duty in the department of
Virginia and North Carolina, and was placed
in command of the military district of Eastern
Virginia. This district included Fortress Mon
roe, Newport News, Yorktown, William burg,
Norfolk and Portsmouth, with the line of de-
fence known G-tty's line, the eastern shore
of Virginia. and that portion of North Carolina
north of Alhemarle Sound. He again took the
field as chief of staff to Major General Weitzel
acting in that capacity, and for short time, dur
ing the absence of Gen. WeitZel. commanding the
18th army corps. He continued with the Army of
the James to the end of the campaign, entering
Richmond with Gen Weitz-l's command-which
were the first troops to enter that city after its
falkland was appointed the first Military Cover
of that city. AT the close of the war he re-
signed his commission, July l. 1865.
In the early part of his military career he was
rendered a nomination for Congress bv the Demo-
Gratis of this district, but declined in a letter in
which he said his highest ambition was to see his
country at peace and prosperous again, and to be
himself at liberty to return to return To the
tice of his profession
Ia November 1860, he was appointed an Asso.
ciste Justice of the SUPP eme Judicial Court of
this state, but declined the position.
The events OF the war and his own experiences
led TO a change of his political relations aud he
became identified with the Republican party, by
whom he was elected Representative to the State
Legislature 10 1866, in which he served with
marked ability.
Shortly after the close of the session he resumed
the practice of law, HAVING formed a co-partner
ship with A. A. Strnut, Esq. under the style of
Shepey 4 Strout. But he was not long permitted
TO remain in a private station. When, in 1869,
the judicial system of the United States was
amended by an act proviiing for the appointment
of Circuit Judges, he was. without seeking on his
part. selected for the appointment in the first Cir
cut. His commission was issued December p,
1869, and he at once entered upon the discharge
of the lsborous and responsible duties OF that
high Judicial office.
In the wears of bis judicial life he was constant
ly called upon TO sit in difficult and mpora MT
cases, and by his knowledge, his acumen and his
impartiality, fnlly proved the wisdom of his Sc
lection for the judgeship. In matters of patent
law his work has been especially severe and those
best qualified to estimate how he has performed
that work are unanimous in his praise and in &C
cording to him the highest rank as Judge in that
branch of the law. Nor has he failed in any re-
spect to meet the high anticipatons of the public
at the time of his appointment, but rather he has
commanded the confidence and gained the APP.
plause of the best and soundest lawyers through
out his circuit and the country.
His mental faculties, orig inally of high order,
we're strengthened and disciplined by constant
study. The range of his attainments was wide.
II taste in literature aud art WAS cultivated and
refined. His emuence was fttingly recognized
only few weeks ago by the honorary degree Of
l.. l.. D., conferred on him by his Alma Mater.
Judge Shepley we'll known to those in
innate with him and enjoying his coufdence, was
ever full aud strong believer in the Holy Scrip
lures, but did not until recently publicly unite
with any religious society. A lltile more than \
year ago he joined the Episcopal church and con-
nected himself with the st. Luke,s Society of this
city. That he trm and devout believer in
the truths of Christianity, there is abundant evil
dence, and in that faith he daily grew stronger
and found increasing joy. His religious life was
deep and sincere without ostentstion or dog
mstsm.
BY nature he was kindly and onsiderste to all