.…….…"News From The Camp"…….….

Colonel Ben Caudill’s Camp #1629

2002 Decenber Issue

The last Salute

An empty chair now and forevermore will sit at our table in remembrance of those that have gone before.

Commander’s Tent

From my home to yours, allow me to extend a heartfelt wish for a MERRY CHRISTMAS and a HAPPY NEW YEAR to each and every one! As we reflect upon the year’s events, we can all rest assured that we gave a good faith effort in the preservation of our ancestor’s memory. Shake a fellow soldier’s hand for a job well done. Again, I offer my congratulations to the efforts put forth by those men and women that created a wonderful reenactment of the Battle of Leatherwood. Plans for next year are on the drawing board and the dates are set for the second weekend of October. Several of our camp members have seen the elephant and are veteran reenactors! We need to actively recruit other camps and develop an on line application for those interested in joining the fun. Also regarding reenactments, I have requested that the old general to follow up with addressing the Mt. Heritage Committee about the possibility of having a reenactment of the Battle of Whitesburg during the Mountain Heritage Festival this coming 2003 Fall season. The State Commander of the Ky. SCV will be here in January to address our camp. Let us show him our appreciation and respect due him by wearing the gray colors proudly.

Dave Chaltas will explore supporting Don Poynter or Don Johnson as candidates for East Ky. Brigade Commander and report his recommendation to the camp. Both would serve the cause well. Also John Roark and Dave Chaltas have been selected as the Webmaster for our site and starting in January 2003, a weekly update of information will be presented. Ten stones arrived last week, giving us a total of 20 new stones on the ground to be set. The stone for Pvt. Ambrose Amburgey was set at Hindman on the November 26, 2002. Richard Smith, Okie Blair, Tim Harp, James Crase and myself overcame a very steep climb in order to set his stone. I have been busy in relocating the Confederate marker for Raney Maxey (5^th Kentucky Infantry) in Morgan County this week. Recently I have visited the Salyer Cemetery in West Liberty for the first time and within its sacred soil rest several Confederates. I have also visited Elijah Hicks gravesite. He is buried in a remote part of Carter County. A stone will be ordered in the near future to preserve his memory. A more detailed update will be given at the dinner on Friday night. Again, from my house to yours, I wish you a Merry Christmas!

Private Henry H. Caudill
Plans are being made to present the skit honoring our ancestors to local schools starting in January 2003. The skit portrays Pvt. Caudill (played by Richard Smith, a direct descendent of Henry Caudill) returning from the battle of Leatherwood and stops at an old farmers house (played by Danny Taylor) to ask for water and a bite to eat. While resting, the two men discuss the Civil War from a unique eastern Kentucky prospective. Plans are being made to make a short film in the fall to be made available as an educational tool for schools across the state.

My Kepi & Me

My Kepi & 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 tip our Kepi to our Lt. Commander Richard Marion Smith. Richard is a true son in every sense of the word. He entered the camp on a direct lineage from his gggradfather William Cody Back. He was born to Mrs. Stella Smith Elam (wife of the late Chester Elam) and the late Ray Jett. He is a devoted grandson to his grandmother Lula Smith, demonstrating to all his devotion to his family by the quality of care and love he exhibits. He married Tina Libby Day and lives happily between the bridges on route 7. He is an avid SASS (Single Action Shooting Society) member and has won several shooting events. Most recently he came in third place overall at Hooten. His wife placed 6^th place overall (she has been the state champion for a couple of years). He was the runner up in a national bow contest in years past (his wife won the world title in 1990). His handle is "Cherokee Big Dog" and his wife’s alias is "No Purse Nez". He is a retired art teacher and bus driver. His artwork is well known in through out the area and a painting entitled "Engaged on Leatherwood Creek" is currently featured on our website. He attended Letcher High School and participated in baseball, holding down the catcher position. He is a charter member of the camp and has been instrumental in its growth development over the years. He has taken a leading role in all camp activities and has been influential in keeping the camp focused on the goals set forth ten years ago. He currently holds the position of Lt. Commander of the Camp and also serves at the Lt. Commander of the eastern Kentucky Brigade, Southern Division. He vividly portrays many characters (Melungeon, Civil War, Revolutionary, Cowboy) in his education skits and speeches through out the area. He has been a true friend to all and has enriched our lives by being a part of our many projects. Having grown up with Richard, this fielder can honestly state that he knows of no other person that exemplifies a true man of character and he is the embodiment of a southern gentleman. Ladies and gentleman let us tip our kepis and offer a rebel yell to our friend, our comrade, and our pardner: our own Richard Marion "Poncho" Smith.

The Hunley Report

At the time of this publication, we are considering requesting to be honor guards over the remains of the eight-crew members of the Hunley after Christmas (leaning towards January). To date Danny Taylor, Richard Brown and the Old General have committed to the honor of representing our camp and ancestors. Richard Brown has been delegated to make the arrangements.

Monthly Communications

Our official website’s address is listed above and will be updated weekly. Starting in January we will offer several new components including a section on the Commander’s Corner, Public Relations (under news), Monthly Newsletter and Camp Writings! This will allow those members not living in the area or that cannot attend our meeting keep abreast of our projects. This will be an excellent recruitment tool for our camp. Also it will offer other camps insightful glances into our organization and broaden our base of communication with the world. IF you are interested in REENACTING with us, please contact us at the addresses listed through out our website. If you are a member living away from our immediate area, feel free to email any information that you think we need to share with the camp. Email addresses are http://www.bencaudill.com or dchaltas@letcher.k12.ky.us.

We welcome our guests and give a Rebel Yell to the newest members of the proud decedents of the men who rode with the 13^th Kentucky Calvary!

Robert Lootens

Nicholas Mitchell

The men of Colonel Ben Caudill’s Camp #1629 wish you and yours a joy filled Christmas and a Happy New Year!

My Darling Little Annie Lee

By

David Chaltas

January 1, 2002

Her smile was like the sunshine

That breaks the morning dew.

Our love was the special kind

That father daughter knew.

While stationed at Winchester

I first received the news.

I wanted to caress her

And see her illness through.

One day a tear-stained letter

Shocked me beyond belief.

Annie is gone forever!

I was overwhelmed with grief.

My darling little Anne

Went to her just reward.

She walks the fields of plenty

With her Savior and Lord.

Death crowds the lonely soldier

And he’s destined to cry.

But I’ll never get over

The day my Annie died.

Reflections of Annie

When I first read of the General’s loss (Annie was in the spring of her life, being only twenty two years of age) while both were away from home, it made me so sad for all the family members of every war that lost loved ones while away fighting for what they believed. How helpless and forlorn they must have felt. Oh the devastated spirit and heartbroken agony of knowing that one will never look upon the face of that loved one ever again!

I grieved for his loss and those who have lost loved ones but it made me want to appreciate those around me more and to let them know while they are living just how important they are. It also made me realize that death is the great equalizer and comes to all mortals. For all the times I failed to say the right words, and due to pride did not do the right thing, for all those loved that now are gone, allow me a personal moment to ask for forgiveness, express my love and gratitude. We must treasure each other in the recognition that we will not always have one another. God in His mercy will allow us the final hope and assurance of being reunited forever, just as our General and dear Annie are now together walking hand in hand through the fields of plenty.

"I Feel as if I Should be Overwhelmed"

One month after the death of his darling daughter, Lee wrote to his sister Mary expressing his sorrow. He was encamped somewhere around Fredericksburg.
"The death of my dear Annie was, indeed, to me a bitter pang, but the Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord. In the quiet hours of night, when there is nothing to lighten the full weight of my grief, I feel as if I should be overwhelmed. I have always counted, if God should spare me a few days after this Civil War has ended, that I should have her with me, but year after year my hopes go out, and I must be resigned." (Recollections and Letters of General Robert E. Lee; Lee, Robert E. Jr.; Garden City Publishing Company; Garden City, New York; 1904; page 50)