New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-01-08
city gets $500 900 Of revenue. whereas under the old
law It did not receive cent.
OBITUARY.
GENERAL CHARLES DEvENS.


Boston, Jan. (speclaD-Judge Charles Devens. Of
the supreme Judicial Court, died suddenly about
) O'Clock this evening, at his apartment IN Ash
burton Place. lie had been confined to his rooms
for IA few days with eryslpeas. Even then he was
not thought to be in a critical condition. but he
kept in bed to-day as "a matter Of preeauton. In
the afternoon his nephew Arthur l.. Devens, was
with him. Judge Devens was reading at
O'Clock shortly before he suddenly attacked
with heart failure. and in ten minutes all was
over His immediate relatives were informed OF
his DEATH and also his comrades OF the Loyal
Legion who were then at their monthly dinner ana
who adopted resolutions expressive of their sorrow a
parting with brave soldier just Judge and an
upright citizen.
General Devens was born at Charlestown, Mass,
on April 4. 1870. lie was graduated at Harvard IN
1893. studied in the IawschoO, and from lS41 to 1879
pracsed In Franklin County. IL also represented ttat
county In the state senate in l645 and l7ao From
$40 TO 1853 he was United states Marshal for Massa-
chusetis While he held thi, Office Thomas sims was
remandcd as a fugitive slave and Mr.. DeNenS IN
obedience what he considered the exigences OF his
Office. caused the process to be executed AFTER The
rendition he endeavOred, in 1855, through the Rev.
t. A. Grimes to obtain the freedom OF sims, 0hering
TO pay whatever sum was necessary for the purpose,
but the effort frutless. Later, on hearing that
Mrs Lydia Maria Child was raising money TO purchase
sims's freedom Mr.. Devens asked for the privilege OF
paying the entire sum. Mrs Child consented, but
before the affair could be arranged the war rendered
negotiation impossible. When Sims was liberated by
the progress Of the Federal armies, Mr.. Dcvcns as
sisted him in establishing himself, and when he be-
came Attorney General he appointed him to place
in the Department Of Justice. In 1884 Mr.. Devens
resumed the practice of law in Worcester.
In April. 1861, he became major of an independent
battalion 81 rifles and in July, lie became Colonel Of
the 18th Massachusetts, Volunteers lie served with
this regiment until April 1852, and was wounded NJ
Balls Bluff. lie made brigadier general IN
-G2 and commanded a brigade during the Pennsular
campaign. lie wounded at Fair Oaks. In 1oO3
he commanded division in the 18th Corps at Chance-
lorsvle. where he severely wounded. Returning
to the field in 1864 he commanded a division in the
18TH Corps and his troops the first 10 occupy
Richmond when ii evacuated by the tOniederate-.
General Devems made brcvet major general for
I'm the service for year after the close of the war,
his chief duty being commander Of the Charleston
District. He mustered ont at his own request IN
June 1866, and resumed the practice OF law at
Wore ester
In April. 1-67 General DcvenS appointed as one
of the superior Court Judges OF Massachusetts, and IN
| l-73 he wa raised 10 the supreme Court OF the
state. in 1877 he appointed Attorney General
of the United states, by President Hayes. ana served
until 1891. lie then reappOinted 10 the Mass
achuSetts supreme Court, place which he held AZ the
timc of his death. Vt time lie was Commander
in-Chlef Of the Grand Army Of the Republic