of the dramatists of Queen Elizabeth's day. He filled
many great places in the public service with so much modesty
and with a gracious charm of manner and behavior which so
attracted and engrossed our admiration that we failed at first
to discern the full strength of the man. It is not until
after his death, when we sum up what he has done for purposes
of biography or of eulogy, that we see how important and varied
has been the work of his life.

Charles Devens was born in Charlestown, Massachusetts, April
4, 1820. His family connections led him to take early in
life a deep interest in the military and naval history of
the country, especially in that of the War of 1812; while
the place of his birth and the fact that he was the grandson
of Richard Devens gave to him the interest in the opening
of the Revolution which belongs to every son of Middlesex.
He was a pupil at the Boston Latin School; was graduated
at Harvard in 1838; was admitted to the bar in 1840; practised
law in Northfield and afterward in Greenfield; was Senator
from Franklin County in 1848 and 1849; was Brigadier-General
of the militia; was appointed United States Marshal by President
Taylor in 1849, holding that office until 1853; removed to
Worcester in 1854; formed a partnership with George F. Hoar
and J. Henry Hill in December, 1856; was City Solicitor in
the years 1856, 1857 and 1858. The news of the surrender
of Fort Sumter was received in Worcester Sunday, April 14.
Monday forenoon came the confirmation of the news and President
Lincoln's call for 75,000 volunteers. General Devens was
engaged in the trial of a cause before the Supreme Court,
when the news was told him. He instantly requested another
member of the Bar to take his place in the trial, went immediately
up street, offered his services to the Government, was unanimously
chosen the same day Major of the Third Battalion of Massachusetts
Rifles, commissioned the next day, April 16, departed for
the seat of war April 20. The battalion under his command
was stationed at Fort McHenry. On the 24th of July following
he was appointed Colonel of the Fifteenth Massachusetts Regiment.

Gen. Devens was in command of the Fifteenth Regiment at the
disastrous battle of Ball's Bluff, where he was struck by
a musket ball, which was intercepted by a metallic button
which saved his life. His conduct on that day received high
encomium from General McClellan. He was soon after appointed
a Brig