In March 1881, in recognition of Kilpatrick's service to the Republicans in New Jersey as well as a consolation prize for his defeat for a House seat, President James Garfield appointed Kilpatrick again to the post of Minister to Chile, where he died shortly after his arrival in the Chilean capital Santiago.
I marts 1881, som anerkendelse af Kilpatrick's tjenester for Republikanerne i New Jersey og som en trøstpræmie for hans nederlag i valget til Repræsentanternes Hus udpegede præsident James Garfield igen Kilpatrick til ambassadør i Chile, hvor han døde kort efter sin ankomst til den chilenske hovedstad Santiago.