http://www.bencaudill.com
An empty chair now and forevermore shall sit at our table in remembrance of those that have gone before.
Brown, Cecil; Cantrell, Harold; Hamilton, James; Webb, Henry Miles; Wright, Michael
We welcome our guests and give a Rebel Yell to the newest members of the proud decedents of the men who rode with the 13th Kentucky Cavalry!
Steve Richardson-re up-Welcome Back Compatriot!
Cody Christopher Sexton-Cornettsville, Kentucky
Richard Crowe-Hazard Kentucky
Gentlemen, for once in my life I am speechless. This month has been as eventful as the Hunley Dedication of 2004. I represented the camp’s interest at the National Reunion in Nashville, Tennessee where I witnessed no ill rhetoric, no grand oratories of a negative nature and gentlemen acting the part. The voting was mainly on prorating the tuition, election of a AOT Division Commander, moving the constitution from the current Mississippi legal system to the Texas interpretation standards, and talking about proposed changes to the constitution next year when we meet in New Orleans, Louisiana. I also watched so many of my brothers and sisters work endless hours on the preparation of the monument, the battlefield, stone setting adventures and getting ready for the dedication. I was witness to grown men from Alabama leaving the monument site with tears of gratitude trickling from their eyes as they shook my hand. I saw a young man return from Iraq and was met at the foot of the monument hill by family, friend and as he climbed aboard the fire department with his loved ones for a slow ride home, he paused, stood up and saluted the flags waving briskly in the breeze. I stood at attention until this unsung hero faded into the distance. I felt the mountain groan in gratitude as we offered up a dedication and prayer to those KNOWN BUT TO GOD with a special candle light service as we buried a time capsule upon the hill and spoke of those that gave their full valor to a cause that they believed was ordained. I saw a community come together upon a little point close to the apex of the Gap and bid their ancestors their due with reverence, pride, honor and respect worthy of a presidential event. Grown men and women choked with unbridled emotion as they thanked all those that assisted in this once in a lifetime event. For a brief moment in time I was privy to share with my beloved brothers and sisters a small part of history that is what legends are made. For this I am thankful to an almighty God. We have sent a positive message across this land that the rebel heart still beats proudly within the confines of our country. I salute you and am humbled by your love for our ancestors
Be blessed this day, The Old General
To say that this weekends dedication was a success would indeed be an understatement. Though the weather was hot to the extreme (high 90's) the event was still blessed with a large and very supportive crowd. Dignitaries such as the SCV KY Division Commander Dr. Tom Hiter, KY Division President of the UDC, Knoxville UDC and Lexington Chapter UDC, TN Commanders of the Longstreet Camp and Morristown Camp, our Letcher Co. Judge and magistrates, the Mayor of Jenkins, State Senator Johnny Ray Turner, General Forrest, Civil War Courier, our beloved Parson James Smith and the many camp commanders who came to support us. We had representation from Virginia, Kentucky, Tennessee, North Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Ohio, and Indiana in and out of the ranks. Our first Battle of Pound Gap reenactment went equally well with a good turn out of both spectators and reenactors. The support we observed from the public means that with diligence on our part that this event can continue to grow making it quite possibly one of the areas preeminent events. This weekend is one, which will long be remembered by myself, and everyone else involved. Ben Caudill Camp members please give your selves a well-deserved pat on the back.
Deo Vindice, Lt. Commander John P. Back
My Kepi and Me is a series honoring camp members and their ancestors. The purpose is to share their ancestor’s history as well as the current son occupying the seat of honor. This month let us offer a salute and give up a hardy Rebel yell for all those that put forth an effort at making our monument, dedication and reenactment a complete success. We need to thank all the men and women that drove so far to be a part of celebration and memorial service. To you reenacters and Ms. Z (our sutler) that braved the heat and lack of water, we offer our salutation. To you men and women that assisted in the implementation of the project and worked so unselfishly without thought of reward, we are forever in your debt. To the Letcher County Judge Executive and magistrates, to the Jenkins City Council, to the police that were so courteous in assisting our event, to the Jenkins High School Band, to Senator Johnny Ray Turner, to all the Commanders from Virginia, Tennessee, and Kentucky, to our Ky. Division Commander and Lt. Commander, to our own East KY Brigade Commander, we owe our gratitude. To the President of the UDC from Kentucky and Tennessee along with their representatives we thank you from the bottom of our heart for your support, your flowers, wreath and flags. To our own real daughter (Mrs. Hall) and granddaughter (Mrs. Cantrell and Mrs. Isaacs) that stayed with us throughout the ceremony we are in awe of your examples and are humbled by your grand lineage. To all those that supported us financially (Fiscal Court, Jenkins City Council, TECO Coal, Elkhorn Hazard Coal & Land, Hall Equipment, & Appalachian Monument) we thank you for our people. To all our people that embraced our heritage and wished us the best we applaud your endeavors. To our Chaplains and our Parson James, thank God that you keep us on the path that affords us salvation. To the camp and their families I stand in admiration, as I know our work will continue long after my passing. To those that I failed to mention, I offer my apologies but know that whenever I pass the monument and see our flags flying proudly at the pinnacle of the mountain, I will remember each one of you and feel the pride of a Confederate American pulsating through my veins. And finally, to the Giver of All Things let us offer our love and undying devotion, asking for His guidance as we go forward in harmony with one another. Ladies and gentlemen let us tip our kepis and shake each other’s hand as a sign of a job well done and brotherhood.
The Old General
Our camp is holding steady at 100 members, remaining the largest in Kentucky. August is the time to renew our membership. The dues are $30 ($20 for the National office and $10 for the State office). Please encourage everyone that expresses interest in their ancestors to join our camp; there really is strength in numbers.
The re-enactment that our camp sponsored at the Jenkins Industrial Park on August 13th was a huge success, though it was not highly publicized and planned at such short notice. Several of our members camped along with a number of fellow re-enactors at the battlefield site. Also a sutler from Alabama set her tent up as well. The large grassy field at the site was bush hogged and two split rail fences constructed by members of our camp. One of the fences was constructed at the top of a small knoll. The other was constructed in the field below the knoll. The battle portrayed was the last raid into Kentucky by General John Hunt Morgan and “Morgan’s Men” (of which Caudill’s Army was a part) on June 2, 1864. General Morgan and his men easily defeated and routed a large Union force occupying Pound Gap on their way to central Kentucky. Three cannons, two Confederate and one Union, assisted the infantry for both sides. Colonel Kevin Adkins and the Commonwealth Battery from Louisa brought their six pound artillery piece. Fellow camp member Wayne Whitaker supplied his two cannons. Needless to say, the firing of the cannons was a big hit with the crowd. Local camp members and several fellow camp members and re-enactors from Kentucky, Tennessee and Virginia portrayed both Union and Confederate troops (it sure is hard to get Yankees, wonder why). Colonel Jerry Parsons of the 37th Virginia from Lee County, Virginia commanded the Confederate force. Captain Lawrence Ashworth of the Leatherwood Committee from Perry County, Kentucky commanded the Union force. Colonel Parsons was overall field commander and should be commended for a job well done.
Though the weather was extremely hot and dry, the attacking Confederate troops ran up the hill and pushed the stubborn Union troops out of their position behind the split rail fence. All involved were soaking wet with sweat after the forty-five minute battle due to the heat and wool uniforms. Both armies then marched back in formation to the large attentive crowd for a military review. Volleys were then fired in honor of our ancestors and our soldiers over seas defending our country, including our own Jesse Thorpe. That evening all re-enactors and their family members were fed a large meal provided by our Camp. At dusk, a large crowd gathered at the monument in the Gap for a candle light ceremony honoring our ancestors. A time capsule containing several items pertaining to the War Between the States was buried at this time in front of the tombstone honoring all unknown dead buried on the mountain. This was a very moving experience.
On Sunday, August 14th, the long awaited dedication for the Pound Gap Monument erected by our camp was conducted. A very large crowd of re-enactors, camp members and their families, brother camp members, public officials, and people interested in honoring their ancestors attended the dedication. Commonwealth Battery, Wayne Whitaker and crew, and Kenny Cantrell and crew provided Cannon fire. Re-enactors provided three volleys of rifle fire. The Jenkins High School band played the National Anthem to open the ceremony. After speeches by several dignitaries, songs by local musicians, wreaths honoring our ancestors were placed by the monument by the Caudill Camp, the Daughters of the Confederacy and representatives of the Caudill family. The beautiful gray granite monument was then unveiled. A Confederate bugler played Taps to close the ceremony. Unfortunately, the panels with names of our ancestors were not completely finished and only two panels were exhibited. These two panels are being returned to the monument company for storage until all the panels can be installed. Several long months of hard work and dreams have finally become a reality. I hope that all members of our camp are proud of their accomplishment. We have established a monument that will continue to honor and preserve the memories of our ancestors that gave so much during the War Between the States long after we are gone. Thank all of you for a job well done.
This weekend is the re-enactment of the Battle of Saltville at Saltville, Virginia and/or the Battle of Cynthiana. Several of our camp members will be attending Saltville as both spectators and re-enactors. If you go as a re-enactor, Colonel Parsons said that he would be honored if we signed in with the 37th Virginia Infantry. Signing in with his group would accomplish two things, returning the favor by helping Colonel Parson have a large unit and insuring that you will not be asked to be a Yankee
Adjutant Brown
I have the honor of reporting the camp financial balance is $1929.09 as of 8/17/05. Our expenditures have been $75.00 on bounties for a cannon (Wayne Whitaker refused his bounty and gave it back to our camp!), $212.00 to East Kentucky Rental for porta potties, rails were $680, $75.00 donation, $132.50 for the plaques, $500.00 for the Saturday meal, $550.00 to Appalachian Monument for the bench and 2 stones engraved. The expenditure total was $2,224.50. Our deposits totaled $566.00 during this same timeframe. If you have any suggestions regarding fundraisers or questions please contact me at 633-0881.
Secretary/Treasurer Taylor
Reflecting back on this month one can easily see the hand of God. So many things have been accomplished for our camp, county, committee and country right here within the confines of our mountains. They said it couldn’t be done. The easement and encroachment alone would take 18-24 months. The door was open in less than 6 weeks. They said it would take a year to get the stone cut and sent to our location. It was here in less than 4 months. They said no one would be interested in our project and that we couldn’t get funded. The door was opened and the Letcher County Fiscal Court got the ball rolling with $20,000! They said that man cannot do this project. But we discovered that God will do for us what we cannot do for ourselves. A loving God has blessed us and all credit, all glory must go to Him. Let us continue the path as we Pary for Dixie. Chaplain Tabby Back
The Barnabus Christian Story by Richard Smith
NEVER, EVER FORGET YOUR SOUTHERN HERITAGE OR LET ANYONE SMOTHER OUT THE MEMORIES OF OUR ANCESTORS!!
Deo Vindice
Trivia Questions
1.What General was an Episcopal bishop before the war came?
2.Who taught at the Virginia Military Institute before the war?
3.What noted Kentuckian served as Secretary of War under President Franklin Pierce?
4.What Kentuckian became a general and was a former Vice President of the United States?
5.Who was superintendent of West Point just before the war?
6.What Kentuckian was the cavalry professor at West Point before the war?
7.What Kentuckian was the commander of an expedition to restore order among the Mormons in
Utah?
8.What general was a real estate broker and slave trader before the war?
9.Who was the organizer of the Lexington Rifles, a militia group in Kentucky?
10. Began his military career as an Indian fighter and became a flamboyant cavalry general?
“Sayings of the South”
"There are few, I believe, in this enlightened age, who will not acknowledge that slavery as an institution is a moral and political evil. It is idle to expatiate on its disadvantages. I think it is a greater evil to the white than to the colored race." - Col. Robert E. Lee, United States Army, December 27, 1856
"I commit my body after death to my family and friends with the request that it may be entered among the Confederate dead in the Elmwood Cemetery near the City of Memphis, it being my desire that my remains shall rest with those of the brave men, men who were my comrades in war and shared with me the danger and peril of battle fields fighting in a cause we believed it our duty to uphold and maintain." General Nathan Bedford Forrest, 1877 (2 months prior to his death).
"If ye love wealth greater than liberty, the tranquility of servitude better than the animating contest for freedom, go home and leave us in peace. We seek not your council nor your arms. Crouch down and lick the hand that feeds you, and may posterity forget that ye were our countrymen." Samuel Adams
"We should meet the federal invader on the outer verge of just and right defense and raise at once the black flag. No quarter to the violators of our homes and firesides." Stonewall Jackson, May 1861
Tuesday, March 17, 1863
Another pleasant day. Went on to Whitesburg where I overtook General Marshall. I passed the “Williams gun” (a small repeating cannon) on the road. Colonel Giltner’s Regiment camped near town (Caudill’s Army was a part of this regiment). Not a pound of meat or bread for 600 men. Colonel Caudill came with the General to Branham’s where we stopped this evening, on the head of Caney Fork of Beaver after crossing Rockhouse Creek, Carr Creek etal. Here at Branham’s, Sammie Tribble died more than a year ago of fever. He lies beneath a sturdy oak on the hill opposite the house. I told Mrs. Branham I thought Sammie would be removed one day. The old lady said she didn’t see any use of disturbing the poor boy now. He rest by strangers in his mountain grave. A nobler man never slept in the vault of a King. (I wonder if Sammie Trimble ever received a military or private tombstone. We would have to locate the Branham farm on the head of Caney Fork.)
Answers:
1. Leonidas Polk
2. Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson
3. Jefferson Davis
4. John Breckinridge
5. P.G.T. Beauregard
6. John Bell Hood
7. Albert Sidney Johnston
8. Nathan Bedford Forrest
9. John Hunt Morgan
10. Jeb Stuart
STONE TOTAL: 763 with 166 dedications!
Minutes
July 21, 2005
Members Present
Danny Taylor, , Wayne Whitaker, Kenneth Cantrell, Willie Strong, Willie Cornett, Leathen Whitaker, Tabby Back, Tim Blair, Okie Blair, John P. Back, Rich Smith, Richard Brown, Dale Wright, Danny Wright, Bob Balthis, Richard Crowe, Munton R. Cornett, Randall Haddix and David Lucas, David A. Lucas, Chris Back,
Opening Prayer- Chaplain Tabby Back
Welcome and Recognition of Guests-Lt. Commander Back
Associate Members Recognized by J.P. Back
Pledges/Charge – Richard Smith
Ancestor Roll Call-All Members
June 2005 minutes accepted-motion made by Richard Brown-2nd Bob Baltas
New Business
Report on setting stone and dedication of John C. Campbell grave in Lee County- Richard Smith
Pioneer Village event on June 25 brought up by Blacksmith Association.
My Kepi and Me-Richard Smith
Adjutant Report-Richard Brown
Treasure Report-Danny Taylor
Motion made by Richard Smith of contacting each person that has purchased a brick to put more information on the bricks (4 lines max) to avoid duplications. 2nd-Kenny Cantrell and passed unanimously.
East Kentucky Blacksmith Association update-Richard Smith
Ginger bread Festival entitled ‘Honoring Blue/Gray’
Cont’d research on the Potter’s Field from the hospital in Whitesburg (UDC?)
Open Floor
Pioneer Village Property discussed. Need Executive Meeting to discuss village property
Suggestion of adding Knott County in our recruiting drive. Passed by affirmations
Caudill Dedication to be planned for next month
Adjourned with closing prayer-Chaplain Tabby Back
Agenda
7:00
Call meeting to order-Sgt. At Arms
Welcome/Recognition of Guest
Prayer-Chaplain Tabby Back
Pledges/Charge-Commander Chaltas
We Seek Not Your Council
Ancestral Roll Call-All members
Scripture Reading-Chaplain Tabby Back
Recognition of new SCV & Associate Members from Newsletter & Audience
Reading/Approval of Minutes-Sec/Treasurer Taylor
Newsletter Review/My Kepi and Me
Adjutant Report-Brown
East Kentucky Blacksmith Association update
New Business
Monument Committee Status Report
Monument is in Phase II. We must set the stones engraved with our ancestors’ names in a manner worthy of their sacrifice. Richard Brown’s new design proposal.
KNOWN BUT TO GOD
This dedication deeply touched all that attended. Report Submitted
Confederate Kin-Need stories by camp members for next month. We currently have 50 pages.
Adopt A Highway Project-date to be set
RECRUITMENT CAMPAIGN in full swing
Stone Reports-Faron Sparkman-763 set to date
Events Committee-Blue/Gray at Gingerbread a go!
Ghost Walk scheduled for 7:00 on October 29, fish Pond Lake-Kenny Cantrell
5th Kentucky, Company F needs to meet once a month proposal: Applications (recruitment!)
Assisting the ladies form a UDC Chapter.
Honorary Members- Mrs. Cantrell (granddaughter) and Mrs. Hall (real daughter)
Change time to 6:30 for camp meeting
2 signature on checks to comply with 503C-non profit status
Open Floor
Cemetery Project-let us begin an extensive search for the burial site of those soldiers that died in Whitesburg’s hospital and were buried here.
Dedications to be discussed-Caudill Branch-set date
Prayer Requests: John and Jean Peck, Ronnie, Hester and Bryan, Don Poynter, Sheila Hudson, Rick Morgan, Atlas Hall, Jim Williamson, and those in need known only to the Lord.
Email addresses desperately needed for list server
Remember our library. The books and manuscripts are on the top shelves in my room underneath the picture of Lee.
The sign out list is lying on the 1st shelf. Donate a book in the name of your ancestor!
Motion to have Jesse Thorpe’s picture and bio on website
Continued discussion on the Pioneer Village Project-
Presentation: Ancestor of the Month-Barnabus Christian
Adjourn by Prayer