The Blalocks Well folks, I’ve got a few questions on two of Watauga County’s more famous Civil War soldiers – the Blalocks. I’ve got a copy of Steven’s REBELS IN BLUE: THE STORY OF KEITH AND MALINDA BLALOCK. I know that this book has been ripped to shreds by the history community. Not only did the author make sources up, he misused real sources at his disposal. There was a review in the Appalachian Journal a couple of years ago on the author’s sources. I will give one example. The author writes on page 52: In the summer of 1862, a man who would endure anything to put Keith back in a Confederate uniform or in a Confederate prison took command of the Watauga County Home Guard Company. Setting up his headquarters at Camp Mast, near Boone, twenty-three-year old Major Harvey Bingman knew how “to soldier…” [page 53] Keith came face-to-face with Bingham’s company in late August 1862, when early in the morning, the Home Guard finally caught up with Keith… Well, what’s wrong with the above? The home guard was not created until mid-1863 (fact); Camp Mast was not close to Boone (fact); in August 1862, Harvey Bingham is a lieutenant in the 37th North Carolina, and is wounded in the head at the second battle of Manassas (fact)… So, that being said, I have a couple of questions in regards to his sources. I have yet to contact the National Archives about the list below – I would hate to send them on a wild goose chase. Has anyone ever seen these letters that are suppose to be in Records Group 15 at the National Archives? Jesse Moore to John Benton, October 24, 1878 Keith Blalock to J. H. Greene, July 8, 1876 Keith Blalock to J. H. Greene, November 3, 1874 Affidavit of Thomas O. Pritchard to J. H. Greene, December 15, 1874 Keith Blalock to J. H. Greene, December 15, 1874 Keith Blalock to J. H. Greene, October 27, 1874 Affidavit of Malinda Blalock to N. B. Miller, August 30, 1895. Jesse Moore to John Benton, October 24, 1878 Malinda Blalock to N. B. Miller, August 8, 1895 Keith Blalock to John Benton, October 27, 1878 Affidavit of Adolphus Pritchard to J. H. Greene, December 19, 1874 Affidavit of David Moore to John Benton, October 23, 1878 Letter of Carroll Moore to U.S. War Department, October 24, 1878 Affidavit of Mrs. Mary Coffey to John Benton, October 25, 1878 Affidavit of McCaleb Coffey to John Benton, October 24, 1878 Affidavit of George Perkins to J. H. Greene, December 18, 1874 Affidavit of Joseph M. Webb to John Benton, October 23, 1878 Affidavit of Langston L. Estes to John Benton, October 24, 1878 Regards, Michael PS: If there are any typos, I’m sorry – that’s why I hire a professional proofreader to proofread by manuscripts! LOL _________________________________________________________________ Add MSN 8 Internet Software to your current Internet access and enjoy patented spam control and more. Get two months FREE! http://join.msn.com/?page=dept/byoa