James G. Blunt

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For the popular British musician see James Blunt.

James Gillpatrick Blunt (July 21, 1826 – July 27, 1881) was a sailor, physician and Union general during the American Civil War.

Blunt was born in Trenton, Maine. He became a sailor on a merchant vessel when he was 15, and attained the rank of captain at 20. He moved to Columbus, Ohio, where he was graduated from medical school. He practiced medicine until he moved to Kansas. He was a member of the convention that framed the state constitution.

At the outbreak of the Civil War in 1861, Blunt was appointed lieutenant colonel of the 2nd Kansas Volunteer regiment, a part of James Lane's Kansas Brigade. In April 1862, Blunt was appointed brigadier general of volunteers and given command of the Department and Army of Kansas. His forces were defeated in the First Battle of Newtonia, and the Army of Kansas was incorporated into the Army of the Frontier as the 1st Division. Blunt led his division of Cherokee and Kansas volunteers to victory at the Battle of Old Fort Wayne. For his victory, he was appointed major general of volunteers. In December 1862, Blunt's division was joined by the 2nd Division under Francis J. Herron. The combined forces met Confederates under Thomas C. Hindman at the Battle of Prairie Grove. While tactically a draw, the battle was a strategic victory for the Union.

Blunt was appointed to command the District of the Frontier. He campaigned for control of the Indian Territory and won a victory at the Battle of Honey Springs, bringing much of the Indian Territory into Union control. In October of 1863, while moving his headquarters from Fort Scott to Fort Smith a Confederate force under William C. Quantrill approached. Quantrill's Raiders routed and killed over 80 of Blunt's 100 escorts, including his adjutant Major Henry Curtis, son of Major General Samuel Curtis. These actions led to his removal from command of the District of the Frontier. In 1864, Blunt was able to redeem himself. Confederate Maj. Gen. Sterling Price began an invasion of Missouri and Blunt took command of the 1st Division of Army of the Border. He and the cavalry under Alfred Pleasonton fought delaying actions until Samuel R. Curtis brought the full strength of the army together and inflicted a defeat on Price at the Battle of Westport. Blunt's division inflicted the final defeat to Price at the Second Battle of Newtonia. Blunt commanded the District of South Kansas when the war ended.

After the war, he settled in Leavenworth, Kansas and resumed his medical practice. He died in Washington, D.C.

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