Information regarding Blount's CSA service can be found in three places, which is not uncommon. Blount has 1) Alabama records with the 5th Regiment and 5th Battalion. He has 2) records as a staff officer, which includes a summary of service by a War Department clerk. He also has 3) a few records in the Confederate miscellaneous collection.

As you know, Capt Inzer kept a wartime diary which was later published. His diary entries are quite different from his recollections many years after the war. Inzer writes that Capts Lloyd and Brewster stayed up all night Apr 5-6, playing cards until breakfast. Inzer asked permission from Lt Col Blount to follow the army to the battlefield, but was flatly refused. He admits to being angry about it.

There is nothing about pickets exchanging shots with the Federals. On April 7th Inzer writes that they heard a report that Federal cavalry were approaching and drew ammunition from their wagons. The diary is much more subdued than his post-war account.

As far as Blount being punished, all the officers not assigned to Brewster's Co "L", 18th Alabama Regiment were sent home. The service files include a petition signed by officers of the battalion protesting Bragg's order. Inzer is wrong about four companies each being assigned to the 17th and 18th Alabama Regiments. The other six companies were simply broken up and enlisted men assigned as needed.