Ken,

In the "archives" there have been several discussions about this unit with Alan Pitts as the primary provider of information.

Try searching the archives by entering the following string "blount+5th battalion" (do not include quote marks)and I believe you'll find quite a bit of information about this unit.

I've wondered if this unit was destined to join the 5th Alabama Battalion in Virginia due to some of the company designations "E", "F", etc. and that it was retained in the Western Theater due to Grant's win at Fort Donelson and his movement to Pittsburg Landing, TN.

Jim