July 2006 Issue
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!
Mark Kendrick-Fayetteville, NC-Applied for Membership
William H. Craft-Sparta, TN-Associate Member
Danny Buckner (General Stonewall Jackson)-Newport, TN-Associate Member
The General’s Dispatch
I have the honor to announce that the long awaited book entitled, Confederate Kin, is on line at my storefront at the following address: www.lulu.com/davidchaltas. The reason it is on my site is simply to get it published faster by using my account. In this manner we do not have to set up another account or storefront and the purchases are recorded separately. It is available for purchase at a discount price of $20.00 per book. It usually takes 4-7 days to reach our location. If you are interested in purchasing a book, please you’re your donation to one of the camp officers and I will order the books upon my return from Louisville on Friday through my account. The book will be released globally in the near future (ISBN). Confederate Kin II has over 20 pages compiled at this date. If you have any stories regarding your ancestors, please send them to me so that I can continue working on the legacy that we are offering in print. ANOTHER HONOR that has been given to me is to announce that the monument honoring those that died while in the Civil War Hospital located at the confluence of the Sandlick and North Fork has been erected! The 6’ monument towers on the apex of the hill and behind it is the prose, “I Asked God” that was found on the body of a Confederate soldier after a battle. A granite bench with the words ‘Deo Vindicie’ and ‘Laus Deo’ engraved on its side is in place for reflective moments. I consider this a grand tribute to those of yesteryear that rest in soil ‘known but to God’ and it is yet another example of our commitment to honoring our ancestors for generations to come.
We are in need of having another Adopt-A-Highway Cleanup at Pound AND Garner Mountain if they are available through the Fiscal Court. The money generated would pay for completion of the many projects that we have undertaken. We are also discussing a living history in unison with the KY Heritage Council and a possible area for breastworks to be created on Pound Gap to give the tourist an idea of what they would look like. Our proposal for expansion at Pound Gap was presented on July 10 to the Letcher County Fiscal Court. The acquisition of Raven’s Rock was discussed along with other ideas. The five-year vision is attached. The Virginia SCV voted to purchase a flagpole and maintain a Virginia flag at the Gap. On a sadder note, the Pound Gap Reenactment had to be cancelled due to lack of financial support, lack of an adequate area to house the event, insurance concerns and need of a Steering Committee to plan and execute the event. Reenactments must be planned and orchestrated in order for them to be safe and smoothly ran. If anyone is willing to assist in serving on a committee, assist with raising funds, securing insurance for said liability, developing a plan and meeting on a regular monthly basis for next year as the Leatherwood Reenactment Committee has done, please contact any of the officers ASAP. With Sacred Principles to Maintain, I remain your obedient servant,
The Old General Laus Deo
The men of the Caudill Camp are to be congratulated for an absolutely marvelous dedication conducted in Floyd County, KY on July 1, 2006. The camp members attending were Commander Chaltas, Lt. Commander Johnny Pearl Back, Carlos Brock, Darrel Crawford, Mark Patrick, Willis Strong, M. Ray Cornett, Quenton Childers, Garner Kiser, Doc Adams, Tim Blair, Okie Blair, Matt Chandler and Past Commander Faron Sparkman along with a host of members from other camps and various reenactment groups. Approximately 300 family members attended the event.
This event truly illustrated a resurgence of interest in the Confederate history of Eastern Ky. and the various units that called Eastern KY home. One of the most touching examples of the new reverence for Eastern Ky Confederate heritage was a young boy who lived nearby the cemetery. Brice (the boy of 7 years) had adopted the graves of the Confederate soldiers and cleaned them and always made sure that flowers were on them. This is the kind of spirit that will keep the memory and deeds of our Confederate ancestors alive long after we, who now hold the seat of honor, have left this earthly plane. We need to have more events such as this to show the world how we feel about our ancestors and also to refresh our own spirits when we observe the reverence that the above-mentioned young boy showed for the ancestors that we so revere. Finally, the Lexington Herald Leader had a reporter at the dedication. Normally this is a cause for concern since this particular newspaper has a long-standing reputation for being anti Confederate. This time things worked out in our favor. The reporter was friendly and receptive to the dedication. Granted, the article when printed, was a bit short but it was also non critical and mentioned the Ben Caudill Camp and the Sons of Confederate Veterans in a positive manner. A good first step.
On July 13, 2006 Commander Chaltas and Lt Commander Back met with KY Power rep Denzil Smith concerning a light for the Pound Gap Monument. After Mr. Smith advised Commander Chaltas and Lt. Commander Back on the cost of establishing lighting for the monument he suggested a cheaper alternative. The alternative method involved establishing a small commercial service for the monument. This would allow the Caudill Camp the option of installing several different types of lights at the monument and also have electricity available for many other uses at the sight. An application for a small commercial service for the sight is currently being processed.
Deo Vindice, Lt. Commander John P. Back
The Colonel Ben E. Caudill Camp # 1629 is still the largest camp in the state of Kentucky with 97 members. It will be time for us to renew our membership starting next month (August) and the cost will be $30. A good time to pay would probably be at our next meeting on August 17. Please remind our fellow camp members of the renewal.
The Unknown Soldier Monument has been placed at the Sandlick Cemetery. The bench and the Confederate Prayer have also been finished. Hopefully we can raise more money for a flagpole and possibly tombstones that say Unknown Confederate Soldiers. The flagpole would be around $200 and the tombstones $50 a piece. David Brown and I cut the grass on July 11 and the area looks great. We should start deciding when would be a good time to dedicate the new stones and cemetery. A possible date would be the Saturday of Mountain Heritage as we would have a large captive audience. Also the Mountain Heritage Festival Committee may help financially with it. I believe the event would be a grand one. We could invite the newspapers, television stations and other interested outlets of communication.
Adjutant Brown
First of all I would like to say how proud I was when I learned that the 800th stone had been set. My hat is off to you all. The Ben Caudill camp is great! You all are my brothers. I knew that a chaplain was close to his men. It must have been so difficult to talk to them when he knew some would not make it through a battle. I am sure he prayed for something to say and God would place something in his heart when he sought God’s face. I came across this verse in the Bible and I believe this was one that was used. In JOSHUA 1:9 “Have not I commanded thee* Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid neither be thou dismayed for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.” Pray for one another; Chaplain Back
Ecclesiastes tells us, "When I was a child I spake as a child but when I became a man I put away childish things." This is a lesson, which is very powerful but at the same time very easily ignored. As adults we are supposed to have put away childish things but simple observation will tell us one thing that most have indeed not put away their childish things. Childish thing 1- Jealousy: How many times have we envied the deeds of our own camp brothers rather then take pride in their accomplishments. Answer: Instead of being jealous, ask how you can help and be part of the work. For, as in all things in life, there some people better at some things than others. Take pride in the abilities of others as they work for the good of the camp. Childish thing 2- Hurt feelings: We are much to quick to take offense at the slightest perceived insult. Many times we will take the word of others as gospel without ever asking the alleged offender what was actually said. Answer: The Bible plainly tells us if have aught with a brother to go to him. Take time to find out what really happened before you dress your wounds with the salve of self-pity. Childish thing 3- Feeling left out: We feel that we are "out of the loop" or we are not getting our share of recognition. Answer: To many people are not inclined to join with the group when meetings are called and take no part in the democratic process. The message here is clear, to be "in the loop" and be recognized you have to be part of the process. In the words of the old adage, "If you don't vote, don't complain." These are three common gripes, which are heard over and over in SCV camps, churches or any other organization, which has more than two members.
We are brothers together. Most of us are cousins! We share a common interest. We share the duty of preserving the good name of the Confederate soldier. We share the duty of revealing to the world the true history of the WBTS. We cannot do that if we spend all our time and energy fighting each other! All for one and one for all! Remember the enemy is to the North not in you home camp. We are a band of brothers. Let us do all things in Christ name, Amen.
Eastern Brigade Chaplain John 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 stand and offer a rebel yell to our compatriot, Adam Tyler Sexton. Adam was born on Oct. 29, 1987. He is the son of Phillip and Susanna Sexton the brother of Camp member Cody Christopher Sexton and the nephew of Lt. Commander Johnny Pearl Back and lives in the community of Red Star. Adam is the Great Great Grandson of David Back, Private Co. H 13th Ky. Cav. and the Great Great Great Grandson of Russell "Hacker" Combs, Private Co. C 13th Ky. Cav. Adam is a recent graduate of the new Letcher Co. Central High School where he graduated with a 4.0 average. Adam is also a recipient of the Robinson Scholarship and will be attending the University of Kentucky in the Fall. Adams hobbies are basketball, music and spending time with his friends. We are honored to have Adam as a brother in our Camp for the young men are our future. Through them we will grow and the good name and the brave deeds of the Confederate Soldier will continued to be remembered. Ladies and Gentlemen let us tip our kepis and give up a hardy rebel yell for our brother Adam Tyler Sexton!
Trivia Questions
“Sayings of the South”
Guerrant’s Diary-Bluegrass Confederate
1. Lincoln bestowed this name on the early form of machine gun, first used against
Confederates at Middleburg, Virginia in March of 1862.
Stone Total: 805 with 187 dedications!
ANNOUNCEMENT!
The Confederate Treasury Financial Report
Minutes
The Pound Gap Monument looks great and is being visited very often. The sign in book was a wonderful idea as it shows visitors from all over. The new flags flying and snapping in the wind are very impressive. The Letcher County Tourism Commission paid for two full page colored ads in the East Kentucky Freedom Press newspaper two weeks ago and our monument was prominently displayed. We have contacted the Kentucky Heritage Council and asked them to consider placing our monument on the Civil War Heritage Trail for next year. If they accept us, we would supply our cannon and several soldiers for one day next July. Someone would narrate the involvement of our area in the war and could also take the participants to the new monument at the Sandlick Cemetery. To see the sites that are included in this trail, go to www.kycivilwar.org
Rhonda Robertson with the Wise County Historical Society has asked if our camp would be interested in doing a dedication at the Gray Cemetery at Norton this fall. Our camp set two Confederate tombstones there, Jonathan Richmond and William Richmond. There are several other Confederate soldiers buried there as well. She said they would advertise it in Virginia and the local Daughters of the Confederacy and Sons Camps would help. We would supply them with a date. Jonathan is my gg grandfather and was in the 64th Virginia Mounted Infantry, a sister unit to our Caudill’s Army. These two units fought side by side in several battles, notably Jonesville and Saltville. Ms. Robertson said that if we did do the dedication, could we possibly bring our cannon, as they have not seen a cannon fired at a dedication in Wise County in a long time.
The Old General
This month we offer a salute to Private A. S. Berry that will be published in Confederate Kin II. Currently, we do not have a large amount of information regarding Pvt. Berry’s early years. Berry was born in the year 1830. We do know that he grew up around the Newport area and that he was from a wealthy family. He was a graduate of Miami University of Ohio and became a lawyer. He also served as a judge on the Court of Appeals and served in the Kentucky Legislature.
He enlisted in the 5th Kentucky Infantry, Company G on March 24, 1862 in Scott County, Virginia. The captain of that company was also from the Newport area. Later in the war, he transferred to company F of the 5th. Captain Ben Caudill commanded it. When Captain Caudill (now a Colonel) was given the charge of forming the 13th Cavalry, Pvt. Berry came with several of his friends from Company F to join Company A. Private Berry transferred to the Confederate Signal Corps in December of 1862 and later transferred to the Confederate Marine Corps. He died in 1908 and is buried in Newport.
Questions
1. What kind of weapon was a “coffee mill”*
2. What battle was the “Picnic Battle”*
3. What were “Lincoln’s Hirlings”*
4. Who were the “Pressmen” for the Confederacy*
5. Who were “feather bed soldiers”*
6. What were “white washed Rebels”*
7. Who was “Whistling Dick”*
8. What Kentucky battle site was known as the “Gibraltar of the West”*
9. What was the “Battle of the Generals”*
10. At what battle site was the “Hornet’s Nest”*
Sunday, October 4, 1863-Blue Springs, Tennessee
Answers:
2. First Manassas, July of 1861, when U.S. Congressmen and their wives brought picnic lunches to watch the battle and ended up fleeing for their lives.
3. A nickname that Southerners gave to Federal soldiers.
4. Government agents who had authority to seize or impress, wagons and livestock for government use.
5. Nickname given to Partisan Rangers by infantrymen, who in the infantrymen’s view, led an easy life.
6. Confederate prisoners of war who took a loyalty oath to the Union and become Union soldiers.
7. It was a large cannon used by the Confederates at Vicksburg. It gave its shells a spin, which produced a whistling sound.
8. Battle of Belmont, which is commemorated at the Columbus Belmont Battlefield State Park.
9. The Battle of Franklin, November 30, 1864, when six Confederate generals died in the battle.
10. The Battle of Shiloh. So called because of the intensity of the fighting.
July 22, 2006-2:00-DEDICATION Service honoring Sergeant Thomas Stephens, Sr., of Company H, 9th Kentucky Infantry, Orphan Brigade to be held on Hurricane Creek, at Owsley, in Pike County, Kentucky. Gentlemen this is one of our own and should be considered a maximum effort. DIRECTIONS-If coming from Whitesburg area, you would use US Route 23 North to the Pikeville Cut-Through, and take the Owsley exit, turning left toward Owsley rather that going to downtown Pikeville. For those of you that are familiar with the area, when you come through the traffic light at Island Creek stay on US Route 23 North passing the Bruce Walters Auto Dealership, and continuing past the exit to downtown Pikeville and Pikeville Methodist Hospital, going on through the "cut through," and making a right at the next exit. Should you miss this exit, you will see a 4-5 story bank on your left, and about 1 mile north of this is the Wal-Mart Shopping Center. When you arrive at the top of the ramp, you would turn to your left, and begin to go through a new subdivision housing area, and continuing to the top of the hill, and go down the very low mountain into Hurricane Creek. After you arrive at the exit from US Route 23 North, we will have balloons tied to objects along the roadway all the way to the gravesite, which may be of assistance to you, and we will also make arrangements to have someone meet with you at a location to be determined and they will then direct you to the grave site. Contact Atlas Hall at adjehall@triad.rr.com for details.
Sons of Confederate Veterans
Colonel Ben Caudill Camp #1629
Box 1102
Whitesburg, Kentucky 41826
Gentlemen, I have the honor of submitting the following financial report for your review, input and approval.
Camp Fund
Statement Balance from 6/15/06 to 7/20/06
Deposits 7/15/06 $1,000.00
Balance 3/16/06 $3,642.41
Scholarship Fund $1000.00
Total $4,644.41
Withdrawal 6/22/06 Ck #1031 Appalachian Monument Co. 2,000.00
7/18/06 Ck#1032 Management Solutions (website) 75.00
General Fund Balance $1,567.41
Scholarship Fund $1,000.00
Scholarship Fund-$1000.00 has been set aside into a savings account. Two checks were written totaling $2075.00 (CK#1031/32-$1000.00 deposited in scholarship fund). Based on the current records that we have in our possession, (we do not have the July bank statements) we have $1,567.41 in our general fund and $1000.00 in the savings for scholarships!
Secretary/Treasurer Taylor
June 15, 2006
Members Present: John P. Back, Richard Brown, Leathan Whitaker, Big Tree Adams, Tim Blair, Okie Blair, Manton R. Cornett, Willis Strong, Tabby Back, Chris Back, Gary Begley, Carlos Brock, David Chaltas, Melissa Young
Meeting held at the St. Robinson Cafeteria. Sgt. At. Arms Carlos Brock called the meeting to order. All present offered up the pledges. Tabby Back offered up the invocation, scripture reading and solicited prayer requests. Minutes were read from the Mayl meeting and Jason ‘Big Tree’ Adams made a motion to accept them as read. Okie Blair seconded the motion and the motion was carried by unanimous vote.
Ancestral Roll Call was given. The status of the Gap monument was discussed. Carlos Brock confirmed number of stones set to date being 795. Commanders Comments along with Lt. Commander Back and Adjutant Brown’s written reports shared with the members present. Noting that a quorum was not present but that at last month’s meeting the By Laws were accepted, WITH the recommendation of a few wording changes that was done by Commander Chaltas as witnessed by Lt. Commander Back and shared with the members present, the members present voted unanimously to accept the previously approved corrections to the by-laws that were adopted at last month meeting. Formation of a committee to explore the possibility of refurbishing the barn on St. Robinson was discussed. A presentation by the distinguished H. K. Edgerton was cancelled due to financial constraints. Further exploration of making this a brigade event will be made. Lt. Commander Back will be in charge of further explorations. Kepi and Me read. Pound Gap, the project at Whitesburg and stone setting adventures were discussed. Next meeting will be held on at the NEW 4-H Extension Office (overlooking Whitesburg) on the bypass. Meeting adjourned via prayer.
Executive Meeting
June 13, 2006
Following the guidelines of the ‘Sunshine Laws’ we submit the monthly synopsis of the topics discussed at the Executive Meeting.
Line Items Discussed
Reading of corrections in Camp By Laws discussed
Reunion Delegates
Confederate Kin
Scholarship committee-review candidates
Trash pickup
Veterans Museum discussed and Dedication
Agenda for 7/120 developed
Quilt donated by Mike and Debbie Tyree
Pound Gap Reenactment cancellation
Recruitment Drive Begins
July 20, 2006
Agenda
Prayer-Chaplain Tabby Back
Call Business meeting to order-Sgt. At Arms
Welcome-Recognition of new SCV & Associate Members from Newsletter & Audience
Pledges-Lt. Commander Back
Scripture Reading-Chaplain Tabby Back
Ancestral Roll Call-All members
Reading/Approval of Minutes-Secretary Taylor
Commander’s Comments
Lt. Commander’s Corner-Back
Adjutant Report-Brown
Financial Report-Lt. Commander Back
New Business
State if there is a Quorum present
Follow the newly adapted Bylaws
New Monument set at the Graveyard Holler, mouth of Sandlick
Another Quilt donated by Mike and Debbie Tyree!
RECRUITMENT DRIVE BEGINS
* Phase IV-Monument News-light pole
* St. Robinson Barn
* Reunion
* Confederate Kin-Complete and ready for sale…PASS AROUND BOOK!
* Stone Reports-805 set with 187 dedications to date
* Events Committee-plan next year’s events-schedule
* Pictures for Gazebo-Richard Brown
* Trash Pickup
* Open Floor
* Trivia-Richard Brown
* PRESENTATION:
* Auction/drawing
* Adjourn by Prayer