The Weekly Kansas chief. [volume] (Troy, Kan.) 1872-1918, 1881-08-25

The death of Gen. James c. Blunt. at Washing
ton, On Tuesday, though not unexpected, will be
painful news to great many kansans, especially Of
the old settlers of the State For several years,
Gen. Blunt a conspicuous figure in Terrific
nal and State history, commencing with his election
to the Wyandotte Constitutional Convention from
Anderson County, in 1859. in which he n leading
member of the committee ON military atiairs-pos-
sibly Indicative of his subsequent prominence and
success of the Sighting Generals of the war.
He of the early volunteers Mt the opening OF
the war, being appointed by Gov. Robinson, Lieu
tenant Colonel of the Kansas Third.
His subsequent history Is familiar To- all who kept
pace with the history of the in the southwest.
lie a man Of remarkable courage and persisten-
ey-One of the coolest and most intrepid men in bat
tie met-depending largely upon reckless,
daring fighting for Victories, coupled with the bol
est celebrity of movement, and invariably with sue
lie fought many battles through eastern Kan
and western Missouri and Arkansas often against
tremendous odds and we do not remember now that
he sustained a defeat.
Ills determined courage was never more cunspicu-
out than at the battle of Prairie Grove, the 9Th
day of December lS62 where, with his little army
of 3,OOO Kansans, he saved from humiliation the
force of 900 under Gen. nerruu and heat back
the rebel army of n 600 after. probably. of
the most desperate and deadly hand -tohand con
fcts that characterized the entirc war. The fight
lasted from nine o'clock in the morning till shortly
after dark and az that hour tho battlefield. with
in the space of mile. lay four thousand dead and
wounded men.
His armed reconnaissance 10 the rrtrrat from Lex
ington. in 1864 with little force of 1000 cavalry,
1.-THE llth and 18th Kansas and I'd COloradn) during
which he practically held ut bay IrlccS army al
IT, 900 men for three days giving time for the Kan
militia TO rally he State line. of the
most daring aud mastery performances of the time.
The retreat covered a space of sixty miles. Every
foot of road was contested through three days of
hard lighting. aud he reached the Kansas line and
the militia with the loss of less than fifty men.
Ii is but Just to Gen. Blunt-but n VindicatiOn Of
the truth Of history and fact which the people OF
Kansas should never forget, that it Gen. Bluts
arbitrary and heroic assumption of the command of
the forces resisting Prices advance. that saved the
eastern portion of the State of Kansas from Spoa-
ton by the Confederate forces. and that if Gen.
Blunt had been consulted in the methods Of the pur
suit. after the fight and victory of Sunday nj West
port, not OOOO of Prices whole army would have
escaped. Kansas owes more to the rcsolute courage
and determination of Gen. Blunt than to any all
other commanding Generals of the Union army, on
the two occasions of which We have spoken. especial
" the latter for her escape from the rayagcs Of
hostile army.
Gen Blunt had the faculty of selecting for his
military advisers eminenty qualified for their
work-in itself of the mos; valuable gifts of
Gcnealshp. Col. Moonlight, of this city, was most
of the time for three years his chief of staff and II
in way detraets from the credit justly due Gen.
Blunt, say that he relied largely upon his chief OF
staff. and was much indebted To him for the remark
able spirit and dash, well success that charac
terized his campaigns
Gen Blunt, with all his push, energy, and terrible
earnestness in battle, and with all his faults. was
most kindheartcd generous man, AMI steadtast
friend His memory will long be green in the hearts
of those who knew him best.-LeareRrorh Times.