Nathaniel Blevins was born in Morgan Co., AL about 1823. The following is a letter found in Nathaniel's military files:
Thunderbolt, Georgia
Jan 14th, 1865
In compliance with your order dated Sept 1st, 1864, I herewith transmit Final Statements of the Cases of Privates Blevins, Bell, and Huey, Co. K 1st Ala Vol Cav.
It has been impossible to attend to it sooner having been on a active campaign the whole time since the receipt of your letter.
I had furnished Blevins Descriptive Roll when he was sent to the hospital at Memphis, Tenn and the Surgeon in charge had all the necessary documents to render Final Statements. Huey and Bell were left sick at Decatur, Ala without descriptive Rolls. I being a prisoner to the rebels in Arkansas at the time and the Co. being commanded by Lieut. Tupper 1st Ala. Cav.
There are some facts in the case of Blevins to which I would most earnestly invite attention, Viz, he had $211.50 dollars in his pocket when he was sent to the hospital but a few days before his death (March 1st 1864). Our camp was not a half mile from the small pox hospital and we knew of Blevins death next day. But I received no official notice till the 9th. I had to make a written request for it. John Blevins, private Co. K, 1st Ala. Vol. Cav. had called at the hospital before I had received a Statement and ascertained from the clerks that the money of his brother Nathaniel was there but Surgeon Geo. F. Huntingdon was not willing to admit but $101.00 dollars but the clerks had told John Blevins of $201.00. He finally admitted it and the figures on the Inventory he sent me shows a 1 altered to a 2. John Blevins offered to identify himself as brother to the deceased and his legal representative but Surgeon Huntingdon refused to hear the testimony offered on the case and preferred to pay the money over to the paymaster if he has done so his receips were sent up with the papers he should have sent. I reported the facts of the case to the proper authorities at Memphis immediately but was captured by the rebels in Arkansas on the 21st of March and detained there till 24th April by which time the Regt had moved to Decatur, Ala. and it was impossible for me to attend to it. I intended to prefer charges against Surgeon Huntingdon and have the matter investigated but have had other duties of more importance of the service to attend to. There are the main facts in the case which I can fully prove and if Surgeon Huntingdon has not sent receipts from some Paymaster, I would respectfully ask to be informed of it so that I can prefer charges against Asst. Surgeon Geo. F. Huntingdon and get justice done to a faithful and good soldier.
Yours respectfully, your obedient servant,
J.H. Hornback, 1st Lieut 1st Ala. Vol. Cav., Comdg Co. K
Service records compiled by Glenda Todd and used with her permission. This and other information about the history of the First and the men who fought with the unit
can be found in her book, First Alabama Cavalry, USA: Homage to Patriotism.