December 2003 Issue

The last Salute

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

Commander’s Tent

I trust all will experience a joyous Christmas holiday this month and spend time with your families. The members of the Colonel Ben E. Caudill Camp have become an extended family for many of us over the past ten years, and we look forward to the growth of that family in the coming months. This month we are reminded that the camp's activities must continue on despite cold weather. We've already experienced a stone setting in snow when a few days ago we placed the first Confederate stone set by the Caudill Camp in Lawrence County Kentucky. The stone was for Private Abraham Blythe, Co. A, 51^st VA. Infantry, set on a steep hillside near the community of Blaine. His original stone had crumbled and had been broken on the ground so long that moss had covered the individual pieces. The new stone was requested by Rhonda Robertson of the Wise County Historical Society and set by Tim Harp and Faron Sparkman. Also we recently set a stone for Corporal Joseph Sexton, Co. A, 13^th KY. Cav., buried in the Hatler Sexton Cemetery near Bark Camp Road, Tacoma, Virginia in Wise County, and for Pvt. John Fount Warrick, Co. D, 13^th KY. Cav. in the Wallen Cemetery on the Right Fork of Bull Creek at Water Gap in Floyd County. Our total number of stones set is now 608 and we have an additional 15 on order. Our search for 13^th KY. Cavalry burial sites continues and is now up to 656 (this is up from last years total of 508 stones set, 102 dedications and 656 gravesites located!) The newest discovery is Pvt. Ambrose Mullins, Co. F, 13^th KY. Cavalry Steve Bowling conducted an interview with his granddaughter Clarinda Thompson in the nursing home in Jackson and

discovered she remembered speaking with the veteran who died in 1915. She recalled he told her he "walked to Beaver to enlist" and "only shot one man in the whole war." She also confirmed his burial site at the Wadkins-Mullins Cemetery in the head of Hawes Branch off Rt. 542 at Lambric in Breathitt County. It's such a rewarding feeling when these priceless little pieces of our local history come to our attention. I wish all our

members and their families a Merry Christmas and I look forward to what lies ahead.

Wishing You and Yours a very

My Kepi & Me

(The Old General)

The Chaplain’s Corner

(Chaplain Back/Chaltas)

Talking with the General

(Dave Chaltas)

And now the year’s pageant has ended and the beginning of a new season is at hand. We have grown so quickly and came so far that it amazes me. You ladies and gentlemen deserve a strong round of applause for your accomplishments. The year 2004 holds great promise. Our reenacting guild is quickly growing and now our 13^th Kentucky Cavalry banner flies proudly at the Southern Guard Camp Headquarters! The Southern Guard is a Christian-based organization that has become our brothers as well as friends.  Their dues are $2.00 per person!  To join the 6th Kentucky Infantry, Company A (ORPHANS) the cost is $12.00. That price includes a series of newsletters as well as the School of the Soldier (Feb. 21-22 at Barbourville-McNeil Farm). To date we have Steve Richardson, Richard Brown, Wendell Brown, David Brown, John P. Back, Mike Watts, Wayne Watts, Wayne and Dwayne Whitaker, Matt Chandler, Tim and Okie Blair Danny and Dale Wright along with a host of the Ladies Aid Society/Wives are actively involved in these organizations.

Several of the 13^th members have joined the Southern Guard Battalion under the 6^th Kentucky Infantry. This year the Caudill’s Army Flag will be flying in reenactments within 5 states (South Carolina, Alabama, Tennessee, West Virginia, Virginia, Kentucky).

We are working on a schedule with the Guard in which we are welcomed to participate in as many events as time allows. Below is the tentative schedule of the 37^th Virginia.

*Feb- 21/22---School of the Soldier (Barbourville, KY)

March- 26-27-28---Battle of Bridgeport (Bridgeport, Alabama)

April- 3-4---Living History  Longstreets Headquarters  (Knoxville, TN)

*April- 17^th---Memorial Services for the crew of the CSS Hunley (Charleston, S. C.)

April 23-24-25---Battle of Teleford/Limestone Station (Limestone, TN)-Cancelled!

May  14-15-16---Shermans March" (Central, South Carolina)

*June- 4-5-6---"Civil War Days" (Jonesville, Virginia)

*June-4-5-6---Jeff Davis Monument Dedication

July-4---Living History-Skirmish & Parade (Clintwood, Virginia)

July 16-17-18---Battle of Laurel Hill  (Belington, West Virginia)     

*August- 20-21-22---Battle of Saltville (Saltville, Virginia)

*September-11-12---McNeils Crossing  (Barbourville, KY)

September 24-25-26---1st Annual "Battle of Bluff City" (Bluff City, TN)        

October 1-2-3---140th Battle of Franklin (Franklin, TN)

*October 8-9-10---Battle of Leatherwood (Leatherwood, KY)

*October 15-16-17---Battle of Camp Wildcat (London. KY)

October 23---Tobacco Festival & Parade (Pennington Gap, Virginia)

November---Abingdon Christmas Parade (TBA)

With honor, I remain your obedient servant,

The Old General***

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 Cavalry!

(Up by 3 from last meeting)

Meeting called to order-Lt. Commander

Prayer-Chaplain Back

Pledges/Charge led by Tim Harp

Minutes read-Lt. Commander Chaltas

Minutes accepted by acclamation

Lt. Commander Chaltas reviewed the Newsletter.

Steve Richardson recognized by My Kepi and Me series

Lt. Commander Richard Smith gave and an informative 2^nd scramble activity.

Motion to approve minutes as read made by acclamation. Ken Cantrell discussed the Neon Parade. Camp representatives will attend and meet at Flower Shop on the 19^th. Richard Brown discussed the Hunley Funeral Procession. To date we have submitted 12 names from our camp that will be attending. If you are interested in attending, contact Richard ASAP so he can submit the names to Adjutant Williamson. The School of the Soldier to be held in Feb. 2004 was brought to the floor along with the 6^th Ky. Infantry (reenacting group). Some members have elected to participate in the training as well as joining the Orphans. If you are interested see Pvt. Richardson, Adjutant Brown or Lt. Commander Chaltas. Commander Sparkman read a policy regarding not allowing anyone in a Federal Uniform to participate in a dedication. Motion made by Roger Hall and 2^nd by Kenny Cantrell. Motion carried by 26 votes in favor and 1 dissenting opinion cast by Lt. Commander Chaltas. Atlas Hall shared about the dedications to be held on November 22, 2003. Camp will be represented. Commander Sparkman discussed the setting of the 600^th stone that will occur on Nov. 21, 2004. It is in honor of Capt, Joseph Adkins. Camp will send representation. Motion brought to the floor to make Michael Wright an honorary member of the Camp. Steve Richardson made motions 2^nd by Danny Wright. Unanimously carried. Monument to the Soldiers of the Civil War was brought to the floor. Richard Smith made it a form of a motion and 2^nd by Wayne Watts. A committee was formed to address and explore its feasibility. Meeting date to be announced. Motion to have Danny Taylor run for Lt. Commander was put in the form of a motion by John Back and seconded by Wayne Watts. Commander Sparkman will be submit his name to east Kentucky Lower Brigade Commander Poynter.

Adjourned by Prayer-Chaplain Back

Colonel Ben Caudill Camp #1629

January 2004

Agenda

7:00

Dinner began by Prayer

8:00

Call meeting to order

Pledge/Confederate Flag-Commander Sparkman

The Charge-Lt. Commander Chaltas

Scripture Reading-Chaplain Back/Chaltas

Reading/Approval of Minutes/Newsletter with Scramble handed out

Ms. Earnestine Flint-Jenkins Day

Election of Officers-recognize Dan T. as east Kentucky Lt. Commander

Hunley-6^th Ky. Co. E

Dues

Induction Ceremony

Adjourn by Prayer