……

News of the Camp=

February 2008 Issue

http://www.bencaudill.com

Ben = E. Caudill Camp #1629

Box = 1102

Whit= esburg, KY 41858

The Last Salute

Mark Barger,= Cecil Brown, Harold Cantrell, Greg Caudill, Vernon Cooper, Atlas Hall, James Hamilton, Johnny C. Osborne, John Wesley Roark, Jake Smith, Ben Buster Tayl= or, Henry Webb, Michael Wright

The General= ’s Dispatch

My Dear Friends, this year has started with unbelievable good news and fortune. As you are aware, the Caudill Camp has once again offered an opportu= nity for yet another camp to begin from past members. Our dear brothers from Morehead ha= ve exploded with their vision and have demonstrated a true passion for the preservation of our heritage. Our prayers are with the yet to be chartered camp at Brashearville. Division Commander Hiter, Cumberla= nd Brigade Commander Williamson, and I not only signed off the required paperw= ork but also assisted in filling out the forms in order to make the camp viable= for consideration. This is an exc= ellent example/opportunity for us to continue the cause of creating Camps across t= he Commonwealth, with each camp having their particular agenda to meet the nee= ds of their community. I challen= ge other camps to assist in forming a camp within their region. We wish the pr= oposed camp nothing but success, with the realization that it will take constant w= ork and sacrifice to create a productive camp.= It is time to once again dawn our gray and walk along the highways i= n an effort to pick up the winter’s trash. I ask that you consider a date in = which we can do so. Also, it would = be a perfect time to review what we need to do at the Pound Gap Monument in term= s of maintenance for the forthcoming year. We are planning to install the ‘sentry’ and will need to stain the gazebo. I note that= the rail fences need to be placed back on blocks in order to keep it from lying= on the ground. CONFEDERATE KI= N II is revised, thanks to the tireless efforts of the Book Revision Team: Manton Ray Cornett, Willis Strong, Carlos Brock, and Richard Brown. The Table of Contents will be the last item to organize, and once the cover has been selected, and formatted, 5 copies will be ordered for final proofing.   Ladies and gentlemen, our goal is being realized!&nbs= p; Finally, I wish to acknowledge the Hallowed Ground Monument/Stone Setting Committee (HGMSSC) Members for their outstanding efforts. They are made up of = Faron Sparkman (Chair), Carlos Brock (Co-Chair), Willis Strong, Britt Smith, Mant= on Ray Cornett, Richard Brown, Glenn Brown, Tim Blair, Okie Blair, and Randall Haddix. The Co-Chairs of the Committee, Faron Sparkman and Carlos Brock recommended their brothers in the 5th Kentucky SCV #1629 camp be made Associate Members of the Colonel Ben E. Caudill Camp Stone Setting Crew. The 5th KY Camp members are Darrell Crawford, Terry Kidd, Mark Patrick, Travis Erwin, = John Erwin, Shannon Barker, and Harold McKinney. The purpose i= s to honor the cooperation and brotherhood, which exists between the Ben Caudill Camp #1629 and the 5th KY Infantry Camp # 2122. With your consent, I shall do so.   I remain your obedi= ent servant, the Old General Laus Deo

From the Qu= ill of the Lt. Commander:

Since our last regular camp meeting, there have = been a number of worthwhile events, most of which were accomplished while sitting down. These included the Cumb= erland Brigade meeting at Ponderosa in Hazard on February 2, and the first Blue-Gr= ey meeting at Mosby’s in Wise, VA, on February 9. The meeting in Hazard was well-att= ended and consisted heavily of descendants from the Ben Caudill Camp. We heard appropriate messages, whi= ch inspired us to fly our flags, recruit new members and to support the propos= ed Confederate license plate. In= Wise, we met with other SCV camps, re-enactors, and community leaders, who extoll= ed the virtues of their 2008 events, with the emphasis being on reenactments.<= span style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> The event was moderated by Command= er David Chaltas and attended by camp members Danny Taylor, Tabby Back, Willis Strong, and Manton Ray Cornett. We learned that all events are “alive and well” and that their coordinators look forward to our continued support.

Elsewhere, we found that things don’t alwa= ys turn out as well as one might expect; sometimes they turn out even better.<= span style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> After the meeting in Hazard, the “stone-setters” from the camp were prepared to set a Confederate stone for Fourth Sergeant McCager Napier.&= nbsp; Willis and I had picked up his stone the day before, and Willis had = the stone and all the tools needed for the event on his truck, just waiting for= our meeting to convene. It was our understanding that the stone was to be set in the Red Hill Cemetery at Chavies. Willis and I didn= 217;t know that Carlos had new information that had eliminated that possibility.<= span style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> After the meeting, we had another,= but smaller, meeting of the “stone-setters”. Faron took pen and paper in hand a= nd began to probe the vast regions of Carlos’ mind. After several minutes, Faron made = the decision; we would go to the Napier Cemetery on Grapevine Creek and, if the site looked suitable, set the stone there.   This was not a random decisi= on, of course; Carlos knew that McCager’s brother was buried there, with many unmarked graves nearby. After= the short drive and walk to the cemetery, Faron, Carlos and I spread out over t= he cemetery, to consider the possibilities, while Willis, Britt, David and Dan= ny began to move the stone and tools toward the cemetery. Within 5 minutes, Faron found an o= ld headstone that was lying down on one of the old, unmarked graves, a couple = of rows directly behind McCager’s Unionist brother’s grave. He immediately announced that the s= tone had a readable inscription! W= e all gathered around, and after turning the stone this way and that, agreed that= the inscription read: “M. N. Napier – b. May 18, 183? – d. 190?” This matched the research that Car= los had done to a “T”. From my perspective, this was the highlight of the month. This meant that another of our bra= ve men had been properly recognized for his sacrifice, and that his recognition to= ok a form that would likely outlast anyone currently alive. We soon left the cemetery, feeling completely confident that we had set the new stone where it belonged; that = is, immediately next to his reset, hand-inscribed, 100 year-old sandstone marke= r. Sergeant McCager Napier’s new stone brought the total set by the Ben Caudill Camp to 968. Eagerly anticipating the setting of stone # 1000, I am your elected servant, Manton Ray Cornett, 1^st= Lt. Commander

Upcoming Events: = February 2= 2, 2008-The Shadows of Gettysburg, Playwright Commander Chaltas; Rose Center, Morristown, TN. Fe= bruary 22-24, 2008-Battle of Aiken, South Carolina; February 26, 2008-R= ound Table Discussion; 10:00; 103.9 The Bulldog! March 7-9, 2008-1st Annual Battle = of Oconee; West Minster, S. C.; March 13, 2008-Living History and School Day Presentation at Clack Mountain near Morehead, KY. Kentucky Long Rifles Headquarters<= span style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> Contact [jajmechanic@yahoo.com]; <= b>March 14, 2008= -Two Women: One War: Premiere = of the play written by D. Chaltas; 10 and 1; March 16, 2008-Play by Ray Adkins: TB= A

From the Adjutant’s Desk

The Colonel Ben E. Caudill Camp No. 1629 of the = Sons of Confederate Veterans has 79 members as of this time. If anyone needs a new membership c= ard, just let me know. Our camp wa= s well represented at the Cumberland Brigade meeting that was held in Hazard on February 2. Brigade Commander= Les Williamson thanked the camp for arraigning the meeting site (conference roo= m of the Ponderosa Restaurant). Se= veral subjects were discussed such as recruitment, Vicksburg Monument and the Heritage License Plate. The Kentucky Division Reunion will be held on June 6^th through 8th at the Jefferson Davis Monument in Fairview, Kentucky. The meeting will be held during the celebration festivities honoring President Jefferson Davis’ 200^t=
h birthday. Several events will= be held including Living History and possibly a small reenactment. All camp members are urged to atte= nd and support the Confederacy’s first and only President. The trip takes a little over six hours. Hopefully, several of = us can carpool out there. The only b= ad thing about the event is that it is also scheduled during the reenactment at Jonesville, which Jerry Parsons sponsors.&= nbsp; The celebration of President Davis’ birthday is not garnering = near as much publicity as that of Abraham Lincoln’s. Kentucky is spending a lot of mone= y on the Lincoln event but not much on Davis (I guess it shouldn’t come as= any surprise). <= /span>

The Heritage License Plate seems to be gaining s= ome momentum, apparently from the completion of the preliminary drawing of the plate. The prototype plate is= very pretty in my opinion and I believe it will be well received. The cost of the plate is $25 and if interested, a money order or check can be made to the Colonel Ben Caudill C= amp (the money is being placed in our savings account). The weather has been too bad to wor= k at the Pound Gap Monument so far. Hopefully it will improve soon and we can place the newest statue and monument on the mountain. I b= elieve the additions will greatly enhance the beauty and the informative purposes = of the monument. Kentucky Divisi= on Lt. Commander Tommy Rector and Cumberland Brigade Commander Les Williamson want= ed me to inform anyone interested in joining the SCV Mechanized Cavalry (motorcycle unit) to let them know. The cost is a one-time charge of $100 which includes two patches that can be sewn onto a jacket of your choosing (leather or blue jean). These embroidered patches are very pretty and utilize the battle flag. The organization sponsors several rides per year to sites that are of interest to War Between the States enthusiast.

The 5^th Kentucky Infantry reenacting group will hold a School of the Soldier on the weekend of May 17 and 18 at = the Calvary College Campus. There= will be some drilling and there will also be an artillery qualification class ta= ught by Gene Gatts to be eligible to participate on the cannon crew. All camp members are invited and u= rged to attend. Honoring the Memor= y of our Ancestors, I remain your Adjutant, Richard = G. Brown

Chap= lain’s Comments

I wonder what kind of Valentine's Day the men in camp had on that special day? A lot of them carried a picture or a letter on their loved ones and no doubt look= at it thousand times. It was a s= ad day not being with your special someone. Back home the wife and sweet heart’s tears run down their faces because most did not even know if their loved ones where among the living.<= span style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> They just prayed to God to keep th= em safe. That is all they could do: pray and hope. I remember watching Cold Mountain = and what about what this young soldier went though to get back home to the woma= n he loved. I am sure love kept a = lot of our boys determined to make it though the war. So, give your Valentine a big hug = and tell her how much you love her, because there will come a day when you can’t. Please pray for the sick and the lost. If you have any prayer request, em= ail them to me at the5thkycampkettle@yahoo.com God bless Di= xie, Chaplain Tabby Back

Prayer Lin= e

Continue to pray for Commander Don Poynter’= ;s health. He is currently in re= hab. Offer up our prayers for compatriot Jim Lammars’ family, as he passed sudde= nly in the night. Pray for Les Williamson’s family, as they go through the loss of a loved one. Remember Rex Livesay (has an inope= rable blood clot on the carotid artery) and Fred Brewer (contracted H Pilori bacteria and is hospitalized) in your prayers. Remember our beloved ‘Provost’ Charlie Hamblin as he recovers from surgery (8”= of his colon was removed). We seek prayers for our students who are in a war w= ith drugs. Please pray for the be= st interest of a child in a custody battle that is going on within a dysfuncti= onal family. Pray for our Judge Wo= od, who is undergoing serious health problems.= Let us continue praying for Libby Smith, Colonel Ronnie Robinson, Wa= yne Watts’s Uncle-Danus Whitaker, Doug Taylor’s family, Margie Watts final struggle and her family, General Parsons, Gary Holt, John Peck, Rex Livesay, Sheila Hudson, Danny Blair, Craig Adams, Grady Lee, Carlos Brock, Willis Stong’s wife and family along with Manton Ray Cornetts. Remember Michelle Brook. She has Huntington’s disease= . Let us continue to pray for the three young boys that came requesting prayer at Blue Springs. Ask for unspoken prayers to be ans= wered, as our God knows our needs prior to asking. Pray for our beloved Cliff Howard (President Davis). Remember t= o pray for Big Tree and his father, Mrs. Cantrell, and others who give of their ti= me as living historians. Pray fo= r all the infirmed, those alone and needing the touch of the Master’s hand,= as well as our troops that guard freedom’s door. Pray for the unity of the camp and= that in all things we work for the glory of God and with a humbled spirit. Ask our gracious God to bless Past= or Binion and his wife, Donna, as they establish their ministry within our region. Praise God for a mira= cle of Jeff Smith! Let us continue to serve the cause of Christ and pray for the Ben Caudill Ministries as we car= ry on the tradition of our ancestors. <= /span>

Trivia Ques= tions

What state capitol building has bronze stars marking the scars made by Union cannons?
What city has a controversial park named after General Nathan Bedford Forrest?
On what university campus would you find the burial place of Robert E. Lee’s horse, Traveler?
What city has St. Paul’s Church, where Jefferson Davis was worshipping when he received word to evacuate immediately?
In what state wou= ld you find Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park?
A New Orleans cit= y park has an equestrian statue of Louisiana’s most famous Confederate general, who is he?
What city’s enormous Hollywood Cemetery contains the graves of Jeff Davis, Jeb Stu= art, Fitzhugh Lee, George Pickett and other Confederate notables?
What city has a R= obert E. Lee statue mounted smack in the middle of a trolley track?
What Southern cap= ital has Monument Avenue, called the most beautiful street in America and dedicated to the Confederacy?
Where would you f= ind a massive chain that Rebel soldiers stretched across the Mississippi Riv= er to halt Union gunboats?

= <= /p>

Bluegrass Confederate<= /span>-Guerrant’s Diary=

Thursday, December 15,= 1864

Saltville, Virginia

At Saltville, Virginia, in line of battle; waiti= ng and watching for Burbridge whom comes after salt. General Cosby sent me with the Bri= gade to post it in position on the hills about Blackford’s Mill west of Saltville. He remained to see General Breckinridge who arrived by railroad this morning, also General Echols. On our road to West Saltville, I met the detachment under Colonel Giltner, or the Convalescents, who did not go to the Valley. Our boys (who are distinguished as “Valley Veterans”) presumed to entertain a great contempt for these Western Virginia rebels, who never saw= the Natural Bridge, or Jackson’s grave, or the Shenandoah or Jubal or his army, or the Hot Springs or a heap of things too numerous to mention. Met Arch Smith, just from Kentucky= and Lt. Adcock and Brainerd Bayless and many of the lately returned soldiers of= the 4^th Kentucky and the “new issue” Caudille’s Rangers and all. Saw the Colonel also, wrapped in a brand new big gray overcoat. An order is issued this morning fo= r the return of all detachments to their proper Commands. Colonel Giltner thereby assumes co= mmand of his own brigade and General Cosby of his. It is very agreeable to our detach= ments, not because they have any objection to General Cosby but prefer the old associations of Giltner’s Brigade.

Sayings to Live By

"I will send not a man nor a dollar for the wicked purpose of subduing my sist= er Southern states." Governor Beriah Magoffin

"There is no part of the administration of government that requires extensive information and a thorough knowledge of the principles of political economy= , so much as the business of taxation. The man who understands those principles = best will be least likely to resort to oppressive expedients, or sacrifice any particular class of citizens to the procurement of revenue. It might be demonstrated that the most productive system of finance will always be the least burdensome."

Alexander Hamilton (Federalist No. 35, 1788).

Answers to = Trivia Questions

Columbia, South Carolina. The capitol su= ffered from Union General Sherman’s cannon.
Memphis, Tennesse= e.
Washington and Lee University in Lexington, Virginia.
Richmond, Virginia. The church has= plaques commemorating Jefferson Davis and Robert E. Lee, who both worshipped there. The pews they nor= mally sat in (No. 63 for Davis and No. 111 for Lee) are marked.
Tennessee, Forrest’s home state.
P.G.T. Beauregard= , the “Grand Creole”.
Richmond, Virgini= a.
New Orleans. The statue sits atop a tall c= olumn and the trolley rails actually go around the column.
Richmond, Virgini= a.

10. At Kentucky’s Belmont Battlefield State Park, commemorating the Battle of Belmont.

Congratulations Compatriots!!

969 Stones Set with 375 Dedications

Image of the Month!

3Dgrave <= ![endif]>

(Hon= oring a Fallen Hero)
Minutes

January 17, 2008<= /o:p>

The monthly meeting of the Colonel Ben E. Caudil= l Camp No. 1629 of the Sons of Confederate Veterans was held on Thursday, January = 17, 2008, at the Letcher County Vocational School. Members attending were: Danny Tayl= or, David Chaltas, Manton Ray Cornett, Willis Strong, Randall Haddix, Britt Smi= th, Carlos Brock, Garland Kiser, Larry Kiser, Wayne Watts, Raymond Isaacs, Rich= ard Brown, John P. Back, Danny Wright, Tabby Back, Quenton Childers and Kenny Cantrell. <= /p>

Wayne Watts called the meeting to order then led= the Pledge of Allegiance. Command= er Chaltas led the salute to the Confederate Flag. He then thanked the camp for comin= g and supporting him during the death and burial of his brother, John Roark, who = was a member of the camp. Chaplain Tabby Back gave an inspirational speech and gave prayer. He talked about forgiveness and re= ad a poem entitled “Last Meeting”.&= nbsp; Manton Ray read last salute and list of names of fallen comrades. Ev= ery member gave the Ancestral Roll Call. Manton Ray read last month’s minutes. Richard announced that there was q= uorum present and camp business could be conducted. Sandy Wright displayed a beautiful= , hand made rug made in the form of Caudill’s Army battle flag. Raymond noted a small change in la= st month’s minutes (his wife’s name was wrong). Wayne made a motio= n to accept minutes, Carlos seconded, motion passed. Commander Chaltas talked about the election and encouraged everyone to vote, saying both gentlemen were great = guys and camp was in a win-win situation. He then announced he paid for plaques for the four oldest members th= at were presented at the Christmas Dinner, stating no camp funds were spent. He said that some camp members were needed to review Confederate Kin II, Tabby will be the Chairman of the revi= ew committee. =

Richard announced that the materials to build the platforms for the statue and stone for Pound Gap was purchase and stored at R.R. Crawford Engineering. A working will be scheduled when weather allows. The Commander announced that the Lee-Jackson Dinner will be held at Corbin this weekend and that Butternut w= ill be bringing the cannon to be stored at Crawford’s. He has a check from the Fiscal Cou= rt to pay for it. He announced that= he and Richard would be on the Round Table at 103.9 Radio station on February = 12, 2008.

John P. Back announced that the anticipated new = camp (Private Ezekiel Brashears) would be started next week; the papers will be turned in this Saturday at the Lee-Jackson Dinner. Their meetings will be on Sunday afternoon. Commander Chaltas congratulated the new camp, which will include the Blackey, Cornettsville a= nd Jeff areas. Richard gave the Adjutant Report. Quenton asked about the electricity situation at the Pound Gap Monument. Commander Chaltas said he had talked with Judge Jim Ward and Represe= ntative Leslie Combs and they will look into it.&n= bsp; Election officers are Raymond Isaacs and Garland Kiser. Each candidate was given five minu= tes to speak. Tabby and Manton both = gave short speeches. Raymond annou= nced that after the voting, Manton Ray Cornett was elected as First Lt. Commander. All officers were = then sworn in by a candlelight ceremony. &= nbsp; Commander Chaltas presented a certificate of appreciation and a plaq= ue for Kenny’s mother, Pauline Cantrell, making her the Caudill CampR= 17;s Matron of Honor. Jonath= an King was voted into the camp. Tabby, Chair of Public Relations, said we should honor black Confederates during February, maybe a small picture and article in the local paper (maybe Hibbitts). Also,= might clean up the slave cemetery at Red Fox.&nb= sp; Carlos will ask Faron about any black soldiers that might have been = in Caudill’s Army. Tabby suggested that the camp buy a battle flag to embroider the names of fallen comrades on. He also suggeste= d that the camp conduct a road cleanup to raise money, hopefully in March.

Commander Chaltas appointed Wayne Watts, Willis Strong, Carlos Brock, Manton Cornett and Richard Brown to the Confederate K= in II Book Review Committee. Pic= tures are needed for the front and rear covers of the book. Randall jokingly said to put hair = on the soldier shown in the artillery picture.&nb= sp; Wayne suggested having a School of the Soldier in April of early May. Danny Taylor suggested m= aking a Jefferson Davis pin for a fundraiser.&nb= sp; Willis said that his sister is looking for material to make another Caudill’s Army battle flag. Carlos made a motion to put the iron cross scheduled for Captain Jac= kson Combs to Captain James Herd due to difficulties with property owners. Danny seconded, motion passed. Wayne made a motion that the stones setters have authority to place iron crosses when needed, Danny Taylor seconded, motion passed.

Kenny said we should pursue a date for the reenactment at Jenkins (Pound Gap). Commander Chaltas suggested having a Lee-Jackson Dinner in conjuncti= on with the Virginia camps next December. Wayne asked the camp to hold a living history at the new Letcher Cou= nty Central High School; he will look into a date and will work with the history classes. Wayne made a motion = that the number of members present to create a quorum be lowered from 12 to 10 (proposed amendment requires 2/3 vote by camp) next meeting if quorum is present, Danny Taylor seconded, motion passed. Commander Chaltas gave 15-year pin= s to Kenny and Raymond and gave Faron’s to Carlos to give to him. Richard gave out the Trivia Questi= ons, and then asked everyone to be considering ordering Cross of Honor for their ancestors. The commander will= be in Georgia on May 5 and can possibly pick up the crosses. It was noted that the reenactment = at Chickamauga scheduled for September 19 through 21 would be the event of the decade. The Civil War Courier= is sponsoring the event. On the = third weekend of April, there will be a Living History at Buckhorn State Park, everyone is invited. Commander Chaltas closed in prayer; the next meeting will be on February 21.

E= xecutive Council Meeting

Cond= ucted via email

Agen= da developed

Jeff= erson Davis Pins-joint adventure with Arthur Camp?

2 options-250 minimum order

Purc= hase a Caudill Flag to donate to Mosby’s 13^th KY Display that we = will design

Memb= ership Drive

E= xpenditures:

Budg= et for the Quartermaster =

Publ= ic Relations Committee ($200)

Book Review Committee to be formed

Hall= owed Ground Gravesite Committee officially formed

Colo= rs across the Commonwealth

Poun= d Gap Project Progress-

Supp= ort the following candidates for membership into the Camp

Jonathon King =

Jim Adams

Hono= rary Members

Letcher County Fiscal Court

Robert E. Lee III<= /b>

Agenda

February= 28, 2008

=

Call Busin= ess meeting to order-Sgt. At Arms Watts

= ;

Pledges

Prayer-Scr= ipture Reading-Chaplain Tabby Back

Ancestral Roll Call-All members=

Welcome-Re= cognition of new SCV, Honorary & Associate Members

(HAND OUT:= Membership Applications)

State if t= here is a Quorum<= i> present

Reading/Ap= proval of Minutes-camp member

Commander&= #8217;s Comments

=

New Business

Orde= ring Confederate Kin I Proposed-number set by quorum

Vote on Members’ applications: Jim Adams

Honorary Members recommendation:

Letcher Co= unty Fiscal Court

Robert E. = Lee III

Jeff= erson Davis Pins-250 minimum proposed-joint purchase with Arthur Camp<= /span>

Flag= for Mosby’s

Membership Drive

Open Floor<= /span>

=

Matron of Honor Nominee-Pauline Cantrell

ü Events Com= mittee-Report on Status of 2= 008 events: =

ü Public Rel= ations Committee-guidelines reviewed

ü Book Review Committee-formed

üSetting Statue on the mountain

üTrash Pickup at Pound Gap for 2008

ü Iron Cross Order-discussion

ü Black Smith Report

ü Trivia-Richard Brown

ü Next Month Guest- S= peaker/Presentation

Adjourn by Prayer<= /p>