The 2nd Inf, 6th & 9th Cav were very heavily engaged up to the battery and almost broke the line. The Units involved took heavy casualties during the 2nd day, and then had to fight again at Hatchie Bridge, Tennessee the next day.
Because both were missing, you can assume one tried to help the other, but both could have slipped away in the dark of the retreat, and ended their war. Because they had fought in the battles (Nov Dec 1861) in the Indian Territories and at Elkhorn Tavern (Pea Ridge) 5 Mar 1862 and many skirmishes during the summer, I would bet that the illness both had in camp during July and August effected their strength, and the unusually hot day of 4 October 1862 took its toll on them.
BLANTON, William, Pvt., Co. D, 3rd TX CAV Enlisted 25 May 1861 Ladonia, TX WIA at Pea Ridge 8 Mar !862.
BLANTON, Joseph M., Co. "K”, Cpl., 6th TX CAV
BLANTON, J. L., Pvt., Co. B, 9th TX CAV,KIA Corinth
BLANTON, M. H., Pvt., Co. B, 9th TX CAV, KIA Corinth
BLANTON, JACOB, PVT, CO. F, 27th TX CAV
BLANTON, James W., Pvt, Co. A, 27th TX CAV
I found an E. Blanton in Company E, 15th Texas Infantry. He enlisted at Camp Springer near Millican, TX on 4 April 1862 He was discharged on 25 June 1862 because he was unfit for military duty. He could be the Blanton who joins the 23rd later in 1862.
Another E. Blantin and a J.M. Blanton joined the 23rd Texas Cavalry, Company E on 25 Oct 1862. Records are sparce for this unit but both these Blantons were furloughed on 3 March 1865 for 30 days.
Benjamin Franklin,
Ben F. Blanton joined Company C, of the 1st Regiment Texas Cavalry, Arizona Brigade (Hardeman's). These units served in west Texas and New Mexico, and later on the Texas coast, and Louisiana and along the Red River. This unit is often mixed up with the 31st Cavalry, but one Major served in both units and was the acting commander of the 31st in one battle. You can obtain records for these soldiers at the top of the main page. Cost is stated. It is difficult to find this Regiment at Fold3.com.