The National tribune., 1891-01-15

never dreamed OF. He caught cold Jan. 3, and
a slight showing OF erysipelas developed, but
soon disappeared under treatment, but symp-
toms Of pneumonia were discovered by the at
tending physician, but were so slight that no
doubt whatever was entertained Of recovery.
His nephew was in attendance upon him, when
tho Judge suddenly complained Of feeling very
weak. and then, as If going 10 sleep, expired
without a struggle and with scarcely motion.
Gen. Dcvens was born in Charlestown April
4, 1920. His ancestor. Richard Devens, was o
conspicuous hero at Bunker Hill, and from this
fountain the younger Devens drew great draft
of patriotism and heroic inspiration.
In his youth be took the then usual course Of
preparatory studies, and entered Harvard Col
lego when only IL years OF age.
la 1888 he was graduated at the age OF l5,
and at once began the study of law. His intel
lect came 10 maturity among worthy cOmpeers,
and in bis class at College were such men as
James Russell Lowell, the sculptor Story, and
Hon. George b. Loriug.
in 1871 yonng Devens began the practice Of
law in Franklin County, and iu 1916 he was
chosen TO the Massachusetts, Senate.
Soon after he began his law practice he went
TO Worcester and formed q law partnership with
George i. Hoar now United States SenatOr),
the style being Deyens & Hoar. The partner
SLIP was fortunate one for both these gentle
men, and their practice became famous and
lucrative.
1t was some time before the war, during the
hight Of the fugitive slave agitation in Massa-
ohusetts that the subject Of this sketch acquired
a notoriety from which he would have gladly
escaped.
Gen. Devens vas Democrat and his zeal
and ability were rewarded with an important
office, that Of United States Marshal for the
District Of Massachusetts, which he held from
lS49 TO 1853.
r.. Il. 1. + L
Of duty one Of those obstinate cases Of slave
rendilion, wherein il became Marshal Devenss
official business to restore TO his owner a black
man, Thomas Sims, who had been caught in
Boston as Il runaway slave. Without device or
slbtcrfuge Marshal Devens faced an enraged
public sentiment, aud, at the cost of becoming
obnoxious 10 all anti-slayeTy men. lie persisted
in delivering over 10 slavery again the escaped
fugitive.
Ia a giBgularly noble manner Marshal Dew
ems, as a man, Gtoned for the wrong which, as
a sworn official, nc felt obliged to infict. He
bought the slave referred 10 and gave him his
freedom.
The war wrought decided change in the
political sentiments Of Mr.. Devens. Reused by
the emergency, he was inspired by the patriot
ism of his ancestors. In the early days Of the
initial crisis SIR. Devcus exchanged the civil
for a military title, and not long after Bull
Mass, and leading IL TO the seat Of war. IL
was Col. Devensls fortune u find the front and
the fight very soon after reaching the South.
His regiment was first stationed in Maryland,
in the vicinity Of POolesvile, as part Of corps
OF observation under Gen. g. T.. Stone.
IL was while on duty in this connection that
Col. DcvCns became a conspicuous figure in one
of the most tragic events Of the war; the dsas-
ter at Balls Bluff, in which Col. f. d. Baker, Of
California, was killed. The Federal loss by that
bloody disaster was not less than 600 men, of
whom nearly 300 were killed outright, aud
more than 500 including the wounded, taken
prisoners. This strange, badly bungled en-
counter brought ignominy TO some-Gen. Stone
being cOurt-martialed-and crowned Col. Ba-
ker with an apotheOsis, while Col. Deyens Won
nothing but honor for himself and credit for
his command.
In April 1862, he was made a Brigadier-
General, and given a command in the Army OF
the Potomac. Ii was Gen. Devens's fortune to
acquire prominence as a conspicuous figure in
the great battle Of Charlottesville, fought by
Hooker in May, 1868. when Gen. Dcvens was in
command OF division in Towards Eleventh
Corps. Devens was on the extreme right Of the
line, and felt the full power Of Stouewall Jack
sons terrible onset when he surprised the Union
army by his magnificent flank movement
From that field Gen. DeyCns retired badly
disabled man, and IL was several months before
he was again ready for active service.
At tho battle Of Cold HarbOr, in June,
1864, Gen. DeveHs showed heroic stuff in
his nature aud proved himself a stubborn
fighter against great odds. From thence on
until Petersburg fell the career of Gen. Devens
WAS that the very best type Of general officers
who made up the elite, the strength aud the
character of the Union army.
On April T. 1865, Gen. Deveus marched into
the City Of Richmond at the head of his di-
vision and saw the utter collapse and ruin of the
Confederate Capital. He was soon afterWaTd
brcvetted Major-General of Volunteers.
Soon after the close of the war Gen. Devens
was appointed the Military Governor of South
Carolina, and his discharge of the arduous aud
delicate duties of that position was con-
spicuously efficient.
Ia 1867 Gov. Bullock made him q Judge Of the
Superior Court OF Massachusetts,, and no held
that position until 1873, when he was elevated
20 the Supreme Bench.
Here Judge DeYens remained until the adj
ministraton Of President Hayes was inaugu-
rated, in 1877, when he was made Attorney
General in the Presidents Cabinet In this po-
ation Judge Devens's fitness was undisputed.
In 1881, after he left the cabinet, Judge
Devens was again appointed TO the Supreme
Bench Of Massachusetts by Gov Long.
Gen. Devens was elected Commander in Chief
OF the Grand Army of the Republic in 1874 and
was one Of the best Executive officers the Order
ever selected.