July 27, 1881

James Blunt died in an asylum. Blunt had several careers and titles during his lifetime, including doctor, ship’s captain, and major general of volunteers in the U.S. Army during the Civil War. Blunt’s command saw fighting principally in the border region of Kansas, Missouri, Arkansas, and Indian Territory (now Oklahoma). In Arkansas, he led his troops to victory at the battles of Cane Hill, Prairie Grove, Devil’s Backbone, Boston Mountains, and Van Buren. In 1864, Blunt’s troops were a part of the Union forces that repulsed General Sterling Price’s raid into Missouri. In February 1879, the former general’s behavior became erratic, and he was committed to an asylum. After his death, his body was returned to Leavenworth, Kansas, and he is buried in the Mount Muncie Cemetery.