Martin Van Buren Bates was born November 9, 1837, the 11th and youngest child of John Wallis Bates and Sarah "Sallie" Waltrip Bates (his parents are buried on the Old Bates Farm cemetery, the property later sold to Henry Potter). He was born in Letcher County on the mouth of the Boone Fork where it enters the Northfork of the Kentuky River (Kona is now located there). Beginning at age seven he began to grow very large, first obese, then tall. By age 13 he weighted 300 pounds. He grew to become the largest man in the world at 7'11". He was well educated by the regional standards. "Old papers, now in the possession of Letcher County clerk Charlie Wright, a great-nephew of Bates, indicate that by 8, Martin could quote most important dates and events and had developed what was called "almost a photographic memory." [http://ftp.rootsweb.com/pub/usgenweb/ky/knott/bios/b320001.txt]

At the beginning of the War Between the States, Martin left teaching and enrolled on 1 November 1861 in Company F. of the 5th Kentucky Infantry, at Whitesburg, under the command of Captain Ben E. Caudill, for a 12-month term. Accounts say that he was given a battlefield commission. The 5th disbanded at Hazel Green. Martin joined Company A of French's Battalion of Virginia Infantry as a 1st Lt. He was captured in Pike County, Kentucky and imprissioned in Camp Chase, Ohio. Later he was transferred to Point Lookout, MD. On 17 May 1863 he was exchanged. Later, he joined his brother, Robert Bates, in Company A of the 7th Battalion Confederate Cavalry and served as a 1st Lt. He is said to have risen to the rank of Captain while in the CSA. He resigned his commission on 19 July 1864, and it was approved on 29 July 1864 by Colonel Clarence Prentice, and by General John Hunt Morgan on 28 August 1864. However, Martin is mentioned in official correspondence on 26 March 1865. He was in the following battles: Battle of Middle Creek, Second Battle of Cynthiana, and a Battle near Cumberland Gap [http://www.geocities.com/pattymay_99/mvb.html]

One account of the action of Martin and his compatriots, that has been passed down, is given by Burdine Webb (Enoch's niece) in 1941: "Criticized by all were the guerrilla bands that pillaged, murdered, and robbed. There were those in this country. They were driven, however, into Virginia. The bands, of course, opposed both the "Blue and the Gray." Early in the conflict Bates was chosen to drive back these marauders, though some of them were his neighbors. Bates at length became a captain in his division, as he was brave and relentless. Hfse and Captain Webb succeeded in driving them even further back into Virginia. The Crane's Nest section of the band became so rampant that Bates, with Captain Webb and Colonel Ben Caudill of Letcher country, Kentucky, took an army over there to suppress them. Locating their enemy in the dead of night a first was hurriedly build. The flames spread upward, lighting a considerable distance and the soldiers put themselves in readiness. The guerillas swooped down to see about the conflagration, when hundreds of shots rang out. Twelve of the band fell, rolling down the mountainside. Twelve or 15 more were captured. The ruse worked well." [June 2005 issue of The Kentucky Explorer, "Martin Van Buren Bates: The "Giant of Letcher County" by Burdine Webb in 1941.P-23 & 24.]

Another source from the FNB Chroicals in Scott County, Tennessee shares this account with us drawn from Martin's great great nephew, Bruce Bates: Martin made quite a name for himself during the war. He used two colossal 71caliber horse pistols that had been made especially for him at the Tredegar Iron Works in Richmond. He wore them strapped across his chest in black leather holsters. He had a saber that was 18 inches longer than the standard weapon. He rode a huge Percheron horse that he took from a German farmer in Pennsylvania. He was severely wounded in a battle around the Cumberland Gap area and was also captured, although he later escaped.

Now, for the "rest of the story". According to information BRUCE BATES uncovered as told years ago by JOHN LUCAS, who was a distant relative of the giant and had seen him on many occasions, MARTIN VAN BUREN BATES returned to his Kentucky home after the war and found that local Unionists had captured one of his brothers and had tormented him with bayonets to a slow and painful death. This enraged the giant and he gathered his men and searched out the murderers. One by one they were captured. Some were roused out of their beds at night. Others were found hiding in hilltop caverns. Some were ambushed on Rock House Creek and locked in it under close guard. Then their wives, parents, grandparents and children were rounded up and driven to the mouth of Big Hollow and kept there around campfires all night. The children ranged from about 12 years old down to babes in their mothers' arms. Some of the wives were pregnant. Two slender black oaks grew a dozen feet apart. A pole was lashed to the trees about 10 feet up. A round beech log was cut, stripped of its branches and placed on the ground beneath. Eight nooses hung down from the pole.

At dawn, the Rebels roused the sleepers, who threw fresh wood on the fires. At the sight of the dangling ropes the women began to wail. The giant appeared on his giant horse, his giant sword and pistols gleaming, his black eyes shining with contempt and hatred. His men appeared out of the gloomy mists herding the prisoners before them, each man's hands bound behind his back. The prisoners were placed on the log, and a noose was dropped around each shrinking neck, the men pleading for their lives. Their relatives begged the giant to be merciful. The giant sat on his great horse for several minutes while dawn slowly brightened the sky. The fire crackled, adding its gleams to the soft light of the new day. The killers began to hope a little; then the giant raised his hand in a signal. Two men gave the log a shove and it rolled down the hill. The eight bound figures dropped a few inches and choked slowly to death. With swords and cocked pistols the women and children were kept at bay. None could render aid.

The "Yankees" were a quarter of an hour dying. The giant told the people not to touch the dead or take them down from the gallows. They were to hang there and rot by the road, their corruption warning all passersby of the consequences of killing a BATES. If anyone violated his order, he would die in the same way. Absolutely no mercy would be shown. In addition, his family would be destroyed, his house burned, his stock killed. "Take warning," the giant said. "Because no other warning will be given!" Then he and his men rode away, leaving the dead to swing in the wind and their kin to mourn them through a monstrous nightmare.

The bodies turned to skeletons before the giant came back; only rattling bones were left for burial. JOHN LUCAS said the giant could not stay in Letcher County after that. "When those children got old enough they would have killed him without a doubt. He moved away when the war was over and didn't tell people where he went, either. You know what his vengeance was like. We can't even guess what those children would have done to even the score when they got to be grown men. [FNB Chronicle, vol 9 no 3, 1998 http://www.tngenweb.org/scott/fnb_v9n3_giant.htm]

Martin left Letcher County with his nephew "Bad John" Wright and worked in a circus. "Bad John" was billed as a trick rider and sharpshooter, and Martin as the tallest man. He married Anna Hannon Swan (8') in Nova Scotia and she joined the circus. They married in London. Later Martin retired in Seville, Ohio where he died at age 80 in 1919 and lies with his first wife and their infant children at Mound Cemetery. He wrote an autobiography, The Kentucky River Giant that is available in reprint: http://books.lulu.com/content/124960.

Notes: Enoch A. Webb 1811-1882 is Mark Carroll’s 1st Cousin 5x removed etc. Benjamin Everage Caudill was Enoch Webb's 2nd cousin once removed, and Mark's double 1st Cousin 4x removed, etc.

NEVER, EVER FORGET YOUR SOUTHERN HERITAGE OR LET ANYONE SMOTHER OUT THE MEMORIES OF OUR ANCESTORS!!
Deo Vindice

Trivia Questions

1. What dashing Confederate general was married to the daughter of a Union general?
2. What relation was General Richard Taylor to President Jefferson Davis?
3. What Senator (and father of a Confederate general and Union general) worked successfully to keep his home state neutral in the war?
4. What general was General A.P. Hill’s brother-in-law?
5. Why did Abraham Lincoln mourn the death of Confederate General Ben Hardin Helm at the Battle of Chickamauga?
6. What general carried a sword that his father had used against the British in the Revolutionary War?
7. What Kentucky general was the brother-in-law of General John Hunt Morgan?
8. What was a cousinwealth?
9. What ill-fated general was the brother-in-law of General William Preston?
10. What caused the death of President Jefferson Davis’s five-year-old son?

“Sayings of the South”

"Sirs, you have no reason to be ashamed of your Confederate dead; see to it they have no reason to be ashamed of you". R.L. Dabney, Chaplain for Stonewall Jackson

The consolidation of the States into one vast empire, sure to be aggressive abroad and despotic at home, will be the certain precursor of ruin which has overwhelmed all that preceded it." RE LEE

"You may call us rebels and say we deserve no better treatment, but remember, my lord, supposing us rebels we still have feelings equally as keen and sensible as loyalists, and will, if forced to it, most assuredly retaliate upon those whom we look as the unjust invaders of our rights, liberties, and properties." Letter from Washington to Lord Howe, January 18, 1777

EXCERPT FROM GUERRANT’S DIARY Friday, April 15th, 1864

Colonel Giltner saw General Morgan in Abingdon. Is very anxious to be transferred to him. Intimates that somebody is going into Kentucky & etc. (Red Headed) Jim Rogers, now a Lieutenant in Major Chenoweth’s “Caudle’s Ommy” in with Major Chenoweth at Head Quarters this morning. Just returned from Beaver (Letcher County, now Knott County). The others gone after Forrest who has been playing the D__ with Yankees, towns, & boats in S.W. Kentucky. Captured 400 Yankees, burned at Paducah & etc. Today sent up more touching appeals to General Ransom in behalf of our starving horses. It is really heartrending to walk thro’ one of our camps, & see the poor horses beg for something to eat. Every 3 days get about 8 lbs. of corn, no hay or oats. They were all sent out today & turned in the meadows of clover fields, to live on the young grass. Many can hardly walk. At nigh, wrote an application to Secretary of War for a transfer to General John Morgan, of this Brigade, in name of Colonel Giltner, and sent it to Richmond via General Morgan at Wytheville. (Note: The request was granted, Caudill’s Army officially became a part of Morgan’s Men.)

1. Jeb Stuart, whose father-in-law was Phillip St.George Cooke.
2. Brother-in-law, Davis’s first wife was Taylor’s sister.
3. John J. Crittenden of Kentucky.
4. General John Hunt Morgan, brother of Hill’s wife, Molly.
5. Helm’s wife was the sister of Mary Lincoln.
6. Joseph E. Johnston.
7. Basil Duke.
8. A locally raised military unit so called because many of the men were related by blood. (Caudill’s Army was considered a cousinwealth)
9. Albert Sydney Johnston, who died at Shiloh, was married to Preston’s sister.
10. He fell from the balcony at the Confederate White House.

STONE TOTAL: 753 with 164 dedications!

     

I Am Your Confederate Ancestor
By Trooper Jim DeArman, CSA
37th Texas Calvary(Terrell's) CO. B,

Minutes
June 16, 2005
Members Present
Danny Taylor, , Quenton Childers, Fred Steputis, Willie Cornett, Leathen Whitaker, Tabby Back, Tim Blair, Okie Blair, John P. Back, Randall Haddix and David Chaltas

Opening Prayer- Chaplin T. Back
Welcome and Recognition of Guests-Commander Chaltas
Associate Members Recognized by J.P. Back
Pledges/Change - John P/ Back
I am your Confederate Ancestor-page 7
Ancestor Roll Call-All Members
May 19 minutes accepted-motion made by John Back-2nd Lethan Whitaker

New Business


June Newsletter signed by to sent to Jesse Thorpe (Iraq)
Discussion of Pound Gap monument & dedication on August 14
Lethan Whitaker brought to the floor the concept of changing the flags at the monument site every 3 months. 2nd by John Back and approved
Stones setting & dedications discussed (they will be posted on web)
Kentucky Reunion and Battle of Georgetown discussed by Lt. Commander
Pickup trash at Pound Gap set for Thursday June 23
Commander Chaltas discussed a Recruitment drive to begin this month, lasting til August 18th with a plaque for the one bringing in the most new members. Approved by acclamation.
Commander Chaltas brought to the floor a motion to make the workers from Appalachian Monument Honorary Members for the contributions to the work on the monument. Motion 2nd by Lethan Whitaker and approved by camp.
Blacksmith Update-Bluegrass Festival will be on June 25 and held at the Pioneer Village at Red Fox, Ky.
Brashear Dedication planned for June 26 at the Branson Cemetery
Prayer List Discussed Living History and Dedication of Monument set for August 13-14,2005


Open Floor


Adjourned with closing prayer-Chaplain Tabby Back

---

July 21, 2005
Agenda
7:00
Call meeting to order-Sgt. At Arms
Welcome/Recognition of Guest
Prayer-Chaplain Tabby Back
Pledges/Charge-Lt. Commander Back
I Am Your Confederate Ancestor (page 7)
Ancestral Roll Call-All members
Scripture Reading-Chaplain Tabby Back
Recognition of new SCV & Associate Members from Newsletter & Audience
Certificates- 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
Bench is in and rails are painted. The Work Release Program will be cutting the majority of the weeds. The 5 36x36 stones are on order and have been paid for. The stone entitled KNOWN BUT TO GOD is engraved and we need work details for the following: setting the above marker facing in a southern direction. The rail fence needs to be placed, trees cut to give a better view from the monument, trash needs to be picked up, flagpoles need to be set (cement poured), rocks tossed off the point, and more weeds cut. The gazebo will be ready to be set by July 30 and we need to move the 2 metal guardrails so it can be placed in the appropriate location. We need to order 2 nice trashcans that can be emptied but chained to the rails. We are planning an encampment at Fish Pond Lake for the weekend of the 13th. We will need wood, porta potties (at the lake and battle site-to date it is located at Hidden Drive by the big Cavalier sign on the old railroad bridge), food catered for Sat evening, hot dogs and marshmallows for the camp fire. The ladies are developing a brochure along with making blue and gray ribbons/bows for the fence.

KNOWN BUT TO GOD

On Saturday evening at twilight (8:30ish) we will be having a special dedication on Pound Gap beside the marker entitled, Known But To God. We will have a time capsule in which you can place a message, buttons, or other period items in it to be buried at the base of the monument. We will have the path to the monument lit with candles in white bags and offer a military salute to those unknown men and women of yesteryear. We will have special singing and other surprises. It will be very moving and special. Please plan to attend this event.
Confederate Kin-Need stories by ca
mp 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-744 set to date
Events Committee-Blue/Gray at Gingerbread a go!
Period Dance lessons offered by Uncle Charlie Whitaker
5th Kentucky, Company F Applications (recruitment!)