Fort Scott(KS) Daily Monitor; July 31, 1881 page 2, col. 2

DEATH OF GEN. JAS. G. BLUNT

Atchison Champion,

Gen. James G. Blount, of Kansas, died, on Tuesday last, at the Washington Asylum for the Insane, of which he had been an inmate for several years.

Gen. Blount's career was, in many respects, a remarkable one. He was a native of Maine, and came to this State in 1856 or '57, locating in Anderson county. He was, by profession, a physician. His first appearance in a public position was as a Member of the Wyandotte Constitutional Convention, and, apparently, by some singular presentment of his subsequent history, President Winchell appointed him Chairman of the Committee on Military Affairs. His appearance was not prepossessing. He was a short, stout, stolid looking man, with a large head set on short neck and broad shoulders, bushy hair, heavy eyebrows, a firm jaw, and not very bright but steady grey eyes. He talked a great deal in the Convention--in fact, he became something of a bore. He spoke slowly and deliberately; his manner lacked any thing like enthusiasm, and his harsh voice was utterly devoid of magnetism. After a time it became fashionable in the Convention to pay no attention to him, and looking over the stenographic report of the proceedings, some years later, we were surprised to find that his speeches read much better than they sounded, and that he had really advanced many solid, sensible ideas and arguments.

At the outbreak of the war he was appointed Lieutenant Colonel of one of our Kansas regiments, and was, shortly afterwards, without apparent reason, made a Brigadier General. Senator Lane was responsible for this appointment, which was, at the time, very severely criticised. But General Blunt's services in the war largely justified his slection. He was not a brilliant commander, but he was a brave and resolute soldier, and he handled his command, in several important engagements, with marked effentiveness and skill. It is said, with good reason we are inclined to think, that the turning back of Price's raid at the border of this State was almost entirely due to the determined courage of General Blunt. At the battle of Prairie Grove he behaved with distingnished gallantry, and was, for his services in that action, promoted to a Major Generalship.

After the close of the war he devoted himself to business affairs, and spent most of his time in Washington. About three years ago indications of softening of the brain become manifest, and in a brief time he was sent to the Asylum for the Insane, where he has since remained.

The characteristic of the man was reliant, dogged obstinacy and courage, which never forsook him. He was not a great man, but he rendered the country and the State important service, which will not soon be forgotten. Personally, he was a kindley man, and he had very many warm, devoted friends.