Biography

After graduating from Princeton & law school, Blair took up practice with his brother in St. Louis in 1842. He was elected to Congress in 1856 & again in 1860. His organizational ability in creating the Union Party in Missouri, his active opposition to Governor Jackson & other southern sympathizers, & his family's political influence were instrumental in holding Missouri for the union. Blair was appointed a brigadier general of volunteers after successfully organizing seven Union regiments. He was promoted to major general as a result. By the end of his career, he had led both the XV & XVII Corps of Sherman's army in Georgia & the Carolinas. He spent his entire fortune in support of the Union & then reentered Missouri politics with limited success. He served as U.S. Senator from Missouri to fill an unexpired term & retired because of poor health.