New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-07-10
OBITUARY.
FRANCIS P. BLAIR, JR.

born Feb 10, 1921 ut lexington KY, whittier his
father had removed few years previously from Mary
land He studous boy. and had made fair progress
In the dments of learning when, at the of ten. no
went TO Washington with his father, devoted adherent
OF Andrew Jackson. who instrumental In placing
him In charge OF the Administration organ called
The Globe After being about five years at the
capital young Blair entered Princeton College,
where he was graduated with high honors. Re
turning to Washington he studied law, and in 1S43
admitted to the Bar OF the Supreme Court OF Ken
lucky at Lexington, his native town. Desiring wider
sphere for his abilities, he removed In short time to
st. Louis and practicing his profession with far
success when the Mexican suused the people with
military ardor Closing his Office the young lawyer
followed the standard Of Sterling Price, and was prom
incnt IN all the engagements from PaO Alto to Buena
Vista, being twice commended for gallant conduct ut
tho battles OF Monterey and Resaci dc Ia Palma Re-
turning to St. Louis, he entered public life rs Free
Soiler in the Van BurcnAdlns campaign Of lSis and
during the ensuing three years was the leader OF his
party in Missouri. He member OF the State AS
scmbly from 1882 to 1885, and In those perous days
fcaressly asserted the principles Of the minority which
ho represented. Closing for the time his legislative
in Missouri Mr Blair entered the House OF Repre-
scnaves In s57 and from that year until March, 1865,
represented the St. Louis district being elected to each
Congress from the XXXV,h to tho XXXViIth by large
maoritics his Democratic opponent. During this
eventfn period Mr. Blair steadily supported the OF
freedom and firmly resisted the cncroachmcns Of the
Slave Power He endcavorcd to avert by colonizng
the blacks in some portions Of the South but his we'll
meant project came to naugh During the war he
daily supported the military measures of the Admins
raOp and rendered efficient service Chairman Of the
Committee on Military Affairs in the session OF lSGl62,
and aided legislation generally by the knowledge Of
| military life which lie had acquired in the field.
Dccmng war inevitable. Mr. Blair prepared promptly
for it. Months before the General call to which
followed the firing Fort Sumter he had secretly en-
rolled 900 volunteers, who u due time organized
as the lst Missouri Regiment. Commanding this force
he captured Camp Jackson with 5000 ConfcdcratcS
senbed there under the command of Sterling Price This
Nctoyone Of tine first OF tho war-roused tue patri-
otto spirit OF the people In the Southwest ana stemmcd
efiectualiy the secession movement in Missouri. When
war had begun grand scale, Mr. Blair left his place
In Congress, with the rank OF MjorGcncra and Joined
| the army OF Gen. Sherman, then advancing against
Vicksburg Ills led his brigade in tho assault on the
dcfenses Of that city. and held his ground within the
enemys Lines until ordered to retire. s galantry and
skill on this occasion caused Gen. Grant declare him
the "blcst volunteer officer in the service" Withdraw
ing his brigade from before Yicksburg Gen Blair joined
Gen. Netherlands expedition against Little Rock, Ark,
and contributed materially to the successes which were
| achieved
Invested with the command OF the Second Division OF
Gen. Shemans corps the historic Fifteenth Gen Blair
took part In the iO9 days siege OF Nicksburg In the
famous three days march In deOur behind Nlchsjrg his
| division III III assault
| lie led Gen. Movers brigade in person. displaying
bravery which for him the thanks OF Gems. Grant
and sherman.
Afcru few months devoted to repairing h shattered
health Gen Blair reioncd Gen Sherman oct IL, 1863,
! who roappontcd him his second in command He
marched with his commander from Nicksburg to Cornth
and thence to Tuscumba. routing Gen Lees cavalry on
tho way He then succeeded Gen Sherman appointed
Commander of the Army OF the Tennessee in the com
maud Of the Fifteenth Corps. and followed his leader in
the e,cntful march from Memphis to Chattanooga par
tcipating in the brilliant victories at Lookout Mountain
and Missionary Ridge. Arrived at Chattanooga "cn.
blai,, CORDS was selected to march to the immediate
rrIlcf OF Knoxville where Burnside was surrounded by
the forces under Gen. Longsreet Before reaching the
place the foe had retired and the hard worn troops and
| their brave leader enjoyed season of repose
Gen Blair was succeeded dee T. 1863 in the com
mand nf the Fifteenth Corps by Gen Logan. ana the
army being in Winter quarters, he resumed his seat III
Congrss At the opening OF the Fall campaign he was
agan in the field commanding the Seventeenth Corps
n Gen shcrmans army, then entering upon its march
to the SEA His corps comprised tho divisions OF Gems
Iggctt Mower, and Smith. and formed the advance OF
| the army's right wing Gen. Blair accompanied MS
troops through Georgia and the Caronas. closing his
military career with the advent OF peace His troops
were dsbanded July IL, 1861 at Louisville When bid
ding them farewell he declared his reaueos ~ ic"u 'c
| against the invaders OF Mexico.
| Peace being achieved Gen. Blair songt 10 restore
good feeling between the recent combatants Although
fully qualified he refused TO take the test oath IN MIS-
souri, both for the purpose Of determining Its iegay ana
protesting against the policy Of prescription In 1866
he was nominated by President Johnson for Collector OF
Internal Revenue at ST. Louis but was rejected by the
Senate lie was also among the nominees Tor Minister 10
| Austria, but was likewise denied confirmation
Gen Blair by OF Of those political surprises
OF which the Blair family apparently fond iooincd
nm into a prominent place in the campaign OF 1868 His
l lin neet
nation the Presidency by the Democratic party INTO
which h.. had drfted and his letter to Col Brodhead
widely known the Brodhcad letter. wasin ehcct state
ment OF the principles which he could accept ohi
nation this letter. which was direct appeal LOT INC
upport of the unreconced and uncomfortable Bourbons
he took the bold ground that the carpcpaS state 'o'
crnm nts must be overthrow by force OF arms Ihere
is but one way said he to restore the Government ana
| the Constitution, and that is for the Presdcntcec
| to declare these acts null and voh' c"'hpei the
| army to undo its usurpations at tho SOUTH us
| pcrse the Garnet bag State governments. call on
the white people TO rcorganize their own governments
AMI elect Senator'S aud Representatives irouao' "on
Blar friends never entertained any hope OF MS noi
nation for the higher Office but the event proven tu MS
intentions the second place on the ticket were oueu
on knowledge. Tho Democratic Convention "hoh ''o'
| in this city on the ith OF July gave him Tor frseh'
lOlo and l3ls votes the second and wehtth oao''
rcs,n cyely Mr.. Seymour receiving tie hoh'ih''loi
Con Rlr was named for Vice President on the hIs pal
lot In his letter accepting the nomination. he denounced
| The fragment OF Congress which hau '"'''"
,r,u,n,ed under foot" the Constitution His nonihatioh
sill more than that OF Mr. Seymour was cc"gzed aS
the triumph Of the reactonst element OF the party ana
the ticket was foreordained to defeat with horauo
seymour upon success was improbable; win FRANK
Blair it was impossible Not only the Brodncu c''c' pu'
other nnammatory uteranccs furnished MS opponents
IN, abundance az ammunition, and he 50 loaded down
the ticket thai the general d sire for his withdrawal
found expression very few days before the election In
demands by The Ne,o- York World that he should retire
The , came too late Of course and served ony 10 Ill
ninsh the rarty prospects and " arouse sIOf vi III