New-York tribune., 1908-08-19
CAREER OF r. ID. EVANS.
An officer Distinguished in Both
Peace and Var.

Yesterday Robley D Evans rear admiral. United
States navy was placed the retired list. For
nearly forty-hve years he has served his country.
and in two wars upheld the honor of the naval
service and his flag He has been intrUsted with
many important missions in time Of peace, and has
served his country in this way effectively as in
time Of war. His last important service was as
President Roosevelt terms it, bringing into the
Pacific waters the mightiest feet that had ever
appeared west Of Magellan east of Suez.'
II was In 1855 that he received his baptism Of fire
when he led with the utmost gallantry the attack
upon Fort Fisher and severely wounded in the
assault upon its fortihcatons In the war with
Spain he commanded the first class batteship Iowa
at the battle of Santiago.
One disting uishng characteristic OF Rear Admiral
Evans his liking for sea duty. He always pre-
ferred duty board ship TO shore duty.
During the strained relations with Chill Rear
Admiral Evans in command Of the gunbost
Yorktown. stationed at Valparaiso His action
there was praised IN keeping with his sobrfquet
OF Fighting Bob" Evans. His patrol in Bering
Sea OF a character 10 bring into play tact and
discretion which he exhibited in large measure.
Admiral Evans is Virginian by birth. He was
born IN FLOYD County, Va in 1876. At the
age of eleven years he went to Washington TO live
with his uncle. newspaper man. His father, Dr.
Samuel Andrew Jackson Evans. had died Just be
fore this he says in his autobiography. II
was while he attending public schools in
Washington that he first felt yearning for the
sea and it was also during this time that he had
his first sea fght.
One dav he vas sailing Z toy boat in pond when
boy much larger than he came along and sank
his feet with a rock. Young Evans in character
istic fashion picked up a stone and, his own
words smashed him that he had be taken
home cot
Later young Evans got an appointment to the
Naval Academy from Utah. Shortly after he en-
tered the academy he called upon to make
momentous decision-whether to give his allegiance
bis STate to hfS IIe oh Iatte
OF this decision Admiral Evans has made the fol-
lowing comment:
Ny brother fought gallanty in tho Confederate
The war As soon as he could make his way North
he came and never showed any opposition toward
my course. The other members of my family did
not behave in the way. but after some years
my mother changed her views and fully forgave
before she died
Of Fort Fisher on Ianuar, 1874 Lieutenant Com
msnder James Parker who was his superior Off
Ger. said:
Acting Ensign R d Evans wa wounded in the
leg jusT after reaching the end of the paltsade,
He bound up the wound with his handkerchief and
IN The " knee ioiit From ali can learn his brav-
cry and determination 10 enter the fort We're
and the res; pl-su 'aeht
TIo became II lieutenant in 1865 lieutenant COM
rnsnder two years later and a commander in 1875
lie re4 ned the grade Of captain in 1899, such
was his rank during the with Spain In 1901
h4 was promoted the rank of rear admiral. the
highest rank possible To reach in the service with
out the aid Of special legislation by Congress
Admiral Evans in charge Of the squadron
which represented America the festivities at
tending the opening Of the kie Canal. where special
honor was paid him by the German Emperor
l. VAS owing 10 the friendship between Emperor
william and Admiral Evans that the latter was
detailed 90 accompany Prince Henry. the Emperor's
brother. wher the prince visited this country in
1so2
Rear Admiral Evans has been in poor health for
some time past and. though suffering intensely
from rheumatism when the batteship fleet sailed
from Hampton Roads last December he persisted
IN lis determination TO crafty his LIES ambition