1st Lt. Blevins, a native of Rhea Co. TN, was a newly graduated medical student at the time the war broke out, having studied under John M. Lilliard, who became Colonel of the 26th Tennessee Cavalry. Blevins was present at the battle of Ft. Donelson, but he does not appear on the prisoner rolls. He does appear, however, on the rolls of Nathan Bedford Forrest's cavalry as Asst. Surgeon, and later head surgeon. By some means then, whether by intent or circumstance, he attached himself to Forrest's regiment during the battle and escaped when Forrest did. He is the only member of the regiment who did so. The captain of Company E, John Crawford, later died in hospital at Camp Morton, leaving James Cash - a Sergeant at the time of Ft. Donelson - to be promoted to Captain when the regiment was exchanged, and leaving the company officerless during its seven months imprisonment.
Blevins's military record shows no disciplinary measures for his actions, they're merely marked 'transferred', although he apparently transferred himself.
After the war, he returned to Rhea County, Tennessee, where he was a respected doctor and established, with a partner, what was perhaps the first HMO in Tennessee - 75 cents per month for a family, 40 cents per month for single gentlemen, obstretric and venereal services not covered.
He died in 1905.
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