The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Volume 39, July 1935 - April, 1936 Page: 5

Captain Thomas William Blount and His Memoirs 5
a few weeks time,2 and in the next two years nearly every one of
those fellows was killed. That was like sending lambs to the
slaughter, wasn't it?
After being in the quarter-master's department at Pensacola
for about four weeks, I requested a transfer. I was then ordered
to report to General A. H. Gladden acting as aide-de-camp and
instructing men in artillery practice and the general duties of the
inspector general's department.
I carried the first order at the bombardment of Pensacola in
November, 1861. I was out reviewing a regiment of Jews from
Georgia when I heard the cannon. I was on General Gladden's
staff at that time. Ten days before I had mounted a ten inch
gun on the Gulf of Mexico between Fort McRee and Fort Pickens.
I rode up to General Bragg and suggested the propriety of Lieu-
tenant Felix Roberts being put in command of the battery below
Fort McRee.
General Bragg said, "Roberts, go take command of the battery."
Then he said, "Mr. Blount, go take command of Captain Posey's
battery."
This battery consisted of six ten inch guns.
Roberts rode down and got ordnance. Cinders fell on the
haunches of his horse.
I remarked to Captain Posey, "'Captain Posey, I'm ordered by
General Bragg to take command of your battery."
"Glad of it," he said, "I know nothing about it."
I had been ordered to use five pounds of powder and fuse
eighteen inches long. I took pointing sticks and spirit level. I
sighted Fort Pickens. By this time three hundred guns were
'firing on Fort Pickens. The first shell from my gun hit the
parapet of Fort Pickens.
General Bragg said, "Mr. Blount, you have done the enemy
more harm than six hundred men put together."
At another time I was complimented by General Bragg. Felix
Roberts and I had refused to take a drink. General Bragg called
us two gallant young officers and remarked that he was glad we
were sober.
About the first of January, 1862, the army evacuated Pensacola
$Colonel Charlie Drew. I am unable to identify Colonel Drew, or to
verify this statement in the Offiical Records of the Union and Oonfed-
erate Armies.