Yankee Scouts of The Blue Ridge Were Man and Wife !

Sarah Malinda Pritchard Blalock (b. 1842, Avery County, North Carolina; d. 1901, Watauga County, North Carolina) was a female soldier during the American Civil War. Despite originally being a sympathizer for the right of secession, she fought bravely on both sides. During the last years of the war, she was a pitiless pro-Union marauder, tormenting the Appalachia region. Currently, she's one of the most remembered female warriors of the Civil War. This photo was taken some 20 years after the Civil War. She holds a photo of her beloved Keith.

Images # 2 & 3 In mid June 1861 Keith joined Company F ( The Hibriten Guards ) 26th N.C. Inf. His natural leadership abilities were soon recognized and he was elected sergeant. Little did his rebel comrades know he was at heart a " Lincolnite " waiting for a chance to desert to the yankees. Notice he was actually named to the " Roll of Honor " for the 26th regiment !!! Years after his death a Confederate marker was placed on his grave during a project by the Sons of Confederate Veterans and The State of North Carolina !!! The old " Lincolnite " would have been " fit to be tied " no doubt !!!! Much of this story is taken from the HISTORY OF WATAUGA COUNTY, NC When the Civil War started, W. M. "Keith" Blalock was a northern sympathizer. Keith and his wife, Malinda Pritchard did not want to be separated by the war. They both became members of Zeb Vance's 26th Regiment. Keith joined as W. M. Blalock. Malinda, disguised as a man, enlisted under the name of Samuel "Sam" Blalock. She took part in all of the activities. Sam even went down to the river, but did not go into the water with the men. They had joined the Confederacy to avoid conscription. They hoped to desert to the Union lines. When this didn't happen, Keith covered himself with poison oak. He was discharged. "Sam" was discharged, too. They went home. He bathed copiously with salt water until he was healed. His neighbors on Grandfather Mountain did not take kindly to the fact that he did not rejoin his regiment. Keith and Malinda went through the Tennessee lines. He became a recruiting officer for a Michigan regiment in Tennessee.

Image # 4 Muster roll for the 26th N.C. actually reads ( after the fact of course ) " Mrs S. M. Blaylock "

Image # 5  Says Sarah ( or Sam ) " Enlisted March 20,1862 at Lenoir,N.C. for 3yrs or the duration of the war. She was due $ 50.00 bounty "

Images # 6 & 7 Shows Sarah ( Sam ) like Keith, named to the Regiment's " Roll of Honor!!! " from Caldwell County. " This lady dressed in men's clothes, volunteered, received bounty, and for two weeks did all the duties of a soldier before this was found out but her husband being discharged she disclosed the fact and returned the bounty and was immediately discharged April 20, 1862."

Upon returning to Grandfather Mountain Keith offered his services to the Union army becoming a recruiting officer for the 10th Michigan Regiment. Essentially the Blalocks became the “Bonnie and Clyde” of the western North Carolina mountains, feared by secessionist and pro-Union alike. Bushwhacking, thieving, and murder became their hallmark. Although Malinda had no official standing in the Union army she was always by her husband’s side as they made foray after foray into the countryside terrorizing the locals as well as their Yankee compatriots when the need arose.

In essence one could say Malinda Pritchard Blalock served in both armies. When the war was finally over the brazen young couple moved back to the cabin in Watauga County to resume their lives as farmers. On March 19, 1903, Malinda died in her sleep of natural causes and was buried in nearby Montezuma Cemetery. A heartbroken Keith moved in with his son, Columbus, in nearby Hickory, N.C.

On April 11, 1913, Keith Blalock was killed in a freak accident while pumping a hand car along a local railroad. Rumors circulated that it was no accident but a final payback for all the grief he and Malinda had brought to Watauga County during the war. However nothing ever came of the rumors.

On April 14, 1913, William McKesson (Keith) Blalock was laid to rest beside his beloved Malinda.

Image # 8 Keith received a pension for his Union Army service in Co. D 10th Michigan Cav.