The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1868-07-13

studies; and on the breaking out OF the
Mexican war Blair joined the force un-
der Kearney and the gallant Donephan
in New Mexico, and served as private
soldier until 1S47, when he returned to
st. Louis and resumed the practice OF
his profession. In l848, like his father
Francis P. Blair, Sr., he gave his sup
port to the Free Soil party, and in q
speech delivered at the Court House in
ST. Louis, contended against the exten-
sion of slavery into the Territories of
the nation. In 1852 he was elected from
st. Louis county, Missouri, to the Leg.
islature as an avewcd Free Soiler, and
he was reelected in 1854, though Thos.
H. Benton, the Congressional candidate
of the Free Soilers, was beaten. In
1856 Mr.. Blair was returned to Congress
from the ST. Louis district, over Mr..
Kennett, who had defeated Colonel
Benton two years before. In 1857 he de-
liyered an elaborate speech in the House
of Representatives in favor of coloniZing
the black population of the United
States in Central America.
Mr.. Blair was also an editor and writer
on the Missouri Democrat at one time.
The father of General Blair was firm
aud fast friend of Andrew Jackson; the
General when a child was wont to play
on the knees of Andrew Jackson in the
White House. His father at that time
was editor of the Globe, in Washington.
In 1860 Mr. Blair contested the seat in
Congress of Mr.. Barret, from the st.
Louis District, and soon after was re-
turned to the House, after which he re-
signed his seat. In 1866 General Blair
made speech in Brooklyn in favor of
Mr.. Lincoln for the Presidency, and al
so delivered a speech at the Metropol-
itan Hotel, in this city, in June, 1861,
in favor ofstrong war measures, limiting
that General Scott was rather a slow
Mr.. Blair was very assid-
nous in raising volunteers in st. Louis,
and was the frs. volunteer of the State
of Missouri. He raised the First Regi-
ment of Missouri Volunteers, and acted
as its Colonel, albeit he did not hold a
as Colonel of the regiment.
A difficulty arose betweea Colonel Blair
and General Fremont, and Colonel Blair
was unjustly placed under arrest by
that officer, who was commander of that
This arbitrary measure of General
Fremont's aroused great excitement in
st. Louis, where General Blair was uni
known and respected, the jour
nails of that city taking part in the
quarrel at the time. President Lincoln
ordered Colonel Blair to be released
from arrest in September, 1861, thereby
causing a great feeling of relief to the
numerous friends of Colonel Blair in
st. Louis. He was again arrested by
General Fremont, but finally released
after considerable trouble and news
paper discussion by both parties. Col
onel Blair rapidly rose as a soldier and
became one of the most skilful Generals
in the Western armies. On the 22d of
May, 1862, General Blair commanded
division in Sherman's attack OH Vicks.
burg. The brigades of Ewing, Smith,
and Kirby Smith composed his division.
Frank Blair had the honor of leading
the attack in person, five batteries con
their guns on the rebel posi-
ton. The attack was terrific and was
repulsed. AS the head of the column
passed over the parapet dense fire of
swept away all the leading
files. The rear of the column attempted
to rush on, but weredriven back. Here,
by the bad management of Grant, Blair
was not supported, as the supporting
divisions were too far away to give him
assistance. me- Il
At the capture of Vicksburg Blair's di-
vision participated, and did the heavi-
est fighting in Sherman's command. 1t
was at this time that Grant pronounc-
,d Frank Blair to be the best voluntser
general in the United States army, an
opinion that was fully sustained by his
conAuct in action and his judgement
IS u campaigner. In the great march
,f Sherman to the sea, General Frank
p. Blair commanded the Seventeenth
Army Corps, the finest corps OF the
whole army. He crossed the Oseechee
near Barton, and captured the first pris-
Dners. His divisions laid pontoons
across the river, and the two wings
were thus united before Savannah. His
division was the first to march into Sa.
From Savannah the Seven
teenth Corps was taken by water to
Pocotaligo, whence it threatened
Charleston, while Slocum, with the
Twentieth Corps and kilpatIick's cav
airy marched up the Augusta to Sister
Ferry threatening an advance on Sa-
vannah at Tallahatchie. Blair wadcd
4 swamp three miles wide with
water four feet deep, the weather be-
ing bitter cold. Here the Seventeenth
had another fight and lost a number of
killed and wounded, but drove the reb-
els behind the Edisto, at Branchville.
The army then directed its march on
Orangeburg. Here the Seventeenth
carried the bridge over the South Edis-
to by gallant dash, Blair leading his
men, as usual, up to the batteryS
mouth, which was covered by parapet
of cotton and earth extending as far as
could be seen. Blair threw Smiths di-
vision in front, while his other division
crossed below and carried the bridge
after hard fight. A half fdozen men of
Blair's corps were the first to enter
Columbia. The Seventeenth Corps,
however, were not guilty of the burn
ing of this city, as has been charged.
At the battle Of Bentonville, NC, on
the march up to Richmond, the Seven
teenth were engaged heavily. 1t is not
necessary to 60 further into detail OF
the glorious services and gallantry of
our candidate for the Vice Presidency.
His name appears in the history Of the
great civil war as one of the first SOL
diers Of the North. His life has beeh a
one, and full of strange and
eventful occurrences. He bade farewell
to his troops July q, 1865, in an affect
ing address. He was nominated Inter
nal Revenue Collector of Missouri in
March, 1866. His nom nation was re-
jected by the Senate. His popularity
in the West is veiy great. His past rec.
ord insures him success. r--E