Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1867-05-31
A Pleasant Social Time. Re.
ception Of Major Gen
Blunt.

DOtIipU vi HIS tIlllt Ut SCbtcA pAttA.
until he was nineteen years Old when he cm-
igratcd to Ohio. where he studied medicine
and graduated at A medical college. He
was farmers son, reared among the rocks
and stumps of Trenton, and without any of
the educational advantages of those more
centrally located. He therefore has been
the architect of his own fortunes, aud Il
good architect he has been. Emigrating
to Kansas in the troublous times of that
young states first record he took ground
on the free state side and did good service.
When the rebellion broke ont lac lelt farm
with the crops In and entered the ranks
private soldier, and from that position won
his way tea Major Generalship ia very
short time. His record in the war is one to
be proud of. Mr.. Greeley makes honora-
Bile mention of him in his second volume.
His military operations were in Arkansas,
Missouri, ana Kansas. We can give no bet
ter account of him than the following no.
tice by the correspondent of the Chicago
Tribune written. as will be seen in May
1892
LEAvENwoRTII. Kansas, MAY 9th, 81.
The restoration of the Department of
Kansas, Gas established and defined under
the command of Maj. Gen. Hunter.) with
an anti-slavery commander. occasions the
livelicst qualification. And as this depart
ment is likely to attract general attention.
a brief sketch of the man TO whom it has
been entrusted will be read with interest
especially as he Is one of those bold. mark
ed individual characters which revolutions
call from comparative obscurity into large
and honorable prominence.
Gen. James q. Blunt. was born in Maine
in 1926. lie removed to Ohio in 1915.
where he practiced medicine up to 1856.
| The appeal of the Free State men of Kan
sas ut this time obtained a speedy response
from him. and he arrived in our State in
the fall of the year. settling in Anderson
county, and still continuing the practice of
his profession. In all the early struggles
and privationS OF our people. he bore Il con-
spcuous and honorable part; and when n
| Convention was called to establish a pcrn,u-
neat Constitution for the State he was sent
a member thereof with singular unanimity
IN the annals of that memorable body no
name appears more honerably than that of
James G.. Blunt. Bold earnest, clear
strong, he appeared the unflinching advo-
cate of equal ri hts and human liberty.
|
arms, General Blunt was foremost among
the first in raising, organizing and disei-
plining our border troops. and was soon
elected Lieut.. Colonel of the Third Kansas
regiment. In that famous march of the
Kansas Brigade through Missouri. under
the command of General Lane, Genral.
Blunt. Chen Colonel) was the most able
alert an untiring OF Lanes assistants
| one OF Blunts expeditions may be recount
ed to show the character of the man.
\ gang of rutfiaLs, under the lead of one
Mathews, "a notorious and most adroi,
bandit) committed great depredaiions III
Southern Kansas and then fell back into
McCullough's lines, in the InGian Territory
Blunt asked permission to pursue and des-
troy him. 1t was he:itatingly granted, as
the design was considered impracticable'
Blunt started with $50 men, marched 100
miles in four nights. laying by during the
day. H overlook the bandits. surprised
| them in their block houses. killed Mathews
and took his men prisoners, returning 10
Kansas within ten days from the time he
started. This was done. too, with Ben Nc
Cullough knowing, through spies, of the
movement. But General Blunt took Nc
Cullough's scouts prisoners, and the first
| the latter heard of Blunt, he had accom-.
plshed all he desired and was safe in Kan
sas without the loss of a man.
Another incident. When Lexington fel
it was presumed that Price would throw 4
column west of Kansas City, ravagc Kan
sas and fall back to Arkansas along oui
State line, destroying as he went. The
alarm was general. Lauc had received
percinptory orders to burn Kansas City ant
fall back on Leavcnworth. Blunt wa,
called into council. He advised that tn,
order should be diSobeyed rs the eXecu
ton would invite an advance from the reb
els. But Kansas was in dreadful peril
and it seemed as though nothing could pre-
vent her devastation. Blunt asked for iou
hundred men to find out Prices movements
lie was told that he might take men. bu
neither Gen. Lane nor Sturgis would oricl
him on the perilous reconnaissance. Blum
took the men and the responsibility. II,
marched forty miles in one night, and dis
covered all that it was necessary to know
He came so near Prices forces AS to fall IL
with scattering parties. His presence was
made known to Price and his force SO eX.
agSerated that Price ordered direct south
crn retreat and left Kansas out of his pro
grainme. Thus was X tn>as saved
Those incidents go to :, o the character
| OF the man. His plans are the readicst-
his execution marvellous. Though wiihou
routine military education he has militia
ry genius, which he could never Learn
IIe always possessed the confidence and at
lection OF his men, for they say--"Blun
never says go on, but come on and tn,
toughest soldier Jared equally well with hi.
| commander.
Gen. Blunt has never been absent from
his regiment day except on business
From the beginning of his service he ha.
seen his family but twice, and then only
for few hours. When some one toll,
him he onght to go to Washington to work
for Brig leadership, he responded that tn.
place for 4 soldier was in the field, and that
a man who would forsaNe it in this hour OF
peril TO work for personal advancement.
ought to be shot. lie declined even max
ing request for promotion. IN earn il
with my sword" said he, "or not at all"
The General is thoroughly anti-sllvcry.
Erecdom 10 him has meaning. Yon
shall hear no more about kiInappers or
kidnapping in Kansas unless il be that some
OF the wretchcs are caught and hung. No
General Orders will appear hereafter out
raging the sentiment OF our people. Cen
cral Blunt is terribly in earnest In this mat
ter OF destroying the rebellion and of max
ing 1.-The cause OF the war the end of the
war;"
Though so suddenly elevated to such a
responsible position rs the head OF this
great Department from which two cXpid-
tons are even now being fitted out Zone for
New MeXico-the other for the Indian Ter
ritory.) Gen. Blunt wears his lIonors meek
~. lie is accessible to all. ana dispatches
business with marvellous facility.
The General Ia ofmedium height, strong
~ built, with Il face full Of intelligence and
of undoubtcd pluck. He has an iron will
nj