News from the Camp

May 2007 Issue

http://www.bencaudill.com

Ben E. Caudill Camp #1629

Box 1102

Whitesburg, KY  41858

 

The Last Salute     

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

Mark Barger, Cecil Brown, Harold Cantrell, Greg Caudill, Vernon Cooper, Atlas Hall, James Hamilton, Johnny C. Osborne, Jake Smith, Henry Webb, Michael Wright

 

The General’s Dispatch  

 

My friends, we can hold our head up high, as we have been on the front line honoring our ancestors and heritage this month.  We have offered educational programs in local schools, had several articles posted in newspapers and magazines, met with local government officials, presented at school days from Manning to Columbia, S. C., along with Bean Station and talked to different civil organizations.  We have installed the 6th panel on the mountain and have placed the VA flagpole beside the other flags at the monument.  The 27th South Carolina Infantry Volunteers have honored us by ordering a flagpole for our sister state of South Carolina.  It should be delivered to Appalachian Monument by June 1, 2007.  We have spoken at the TN State Reunion, Columbia Memorial Day, and several SCV camps throughout the tri-state region.  We have engraved 17 markers for the dedication and are in the process of painting the statue to be installed at the Sandlick cemetery.  The program has been developed and an example of the tri-fold is included in your packet of information.  We have been diligent in our ministry and have offered several services at reenactments.  The Caudill Flag has flown at several events this month and the cause has been spread among the people.

 

But the work is not over.  We must get the cemetery ready for the dedication.  We have to set at least 17 markers, have another working to clean up the area, build a platform for the statue of the Confederate soldier to guard those resting in the sacred soil, and clean the stones standing.  We need to practice with the color guard and affix a location for the artillery.  We need to run through the dedication and make sure each compatriot is aware of his part in the dedication.  We need to take the flyers included in your packet and distribute them throughout the community.    With sacred principles to maintain, I remain your obedient servant.  Old General…Laus Deo

 

Upcoming Events:  May 18-21, 2007-Battle of Sacramento; Sacramento, KY & Battle of Central; Central, S. C.; May 25-27, 2007-Bushwacking on The Russell Fork; Elkhorn City, KY; This is an opportunity to relive our local history and explore our rich heritage! May 28, 2007-DEDICATION and MEMORIAL SERVICE of the recently rediscovered Confederate Cemetery (Hospital gravesite with possibly 100+ soldiers interred) and monument at the mouth of Sandlick, Whitesburg, KY. The event will start at 1:30. All compatriots are encouraged to attend this local event; June 2-3, 2007-Battle of Jonesville; Jonesville, VA; Please contact Colonel Jerry R. Parsons; June 7, 2007-Commander Chaltas is the Guest Speaker at the Rowan County Historical Society, Morehead, KY.  6:45

 

The Adjutant’s Desk

 

The Colonel Ben E. Caudill Camp No. 1629 of the Sons of Confederate Veterans has seventy-seven members at the present time.  The camp would like to welcome their newest member, Michael Baker.  If anyone needs a new membership card, I would be glad to make one for you.

The dedication for the Sandlick Cemetery is still scheduled for Monday, Memorial Day, May 28, 2007, at 1:30 P.M.  Announcements and photographs about the event have been sent to the Mountain Eagle, News Press, East Kentucky Freedom Press and the Medical Leader.  Also, information was sent to Ms. Ernestine Cornett, General Manager of Channel 57 TV.  If anyone knows of any other publication that the announcement needs to be sent to, please let me know.  Also flyers have been made to place in area business to inform the public.  If you know of a business that will allow the camp to place one of these flyers in, please take one with you to do so.  I hope that all of the camp members can participate or attend the dedication.  Just attending shows support to the camp.  Everyone should be very proud of our accomplishment.  Before the event is held, the problem about the large, dead pine tree should be addressed.  I contacted the county judge, Jim Ward, and he said that the county did not have anyone capable of dropping the tree.  At the time of the proposed working, we could also weed eat and cut the grass around the monument area.  The statue of the Confederate soldier needs to be set as well.  The Virginia flagpole and sixth panel has been set at the Pound Gap Monument.  Virginia has not supplied a flag yet to placed on the pole.  If a flag has not been supplied soon, I suggest the camp places a flag of their choosing.  The grass around the monument area was mowed and the weeds cut on Sunday, May 6, by Glenn, Wendell, David and myself.  The grass will need to be mowed again before Memorial Day and hopefully the camp can have a working before that time.   New clips  have replaced the old ones on the cables holding the flags.  The constant movement by the wind acts like a saw and cuts through the metal.  South Carolina has paid for a flagpole to be set at the monument.  The pole will be ordered through Appalachian Monument and should be delivered in about three weeks.    

 

The dedication held at the Joel Sturgill Cemetery on Bowman’s Creek near Eolia, was a huge success.  Eleven camp members conducted a military salute at the request of the Gabriel Church family.  Gabriel had five sons join the Confederate army at the outbreak of the War Between the States.  Gabriel and two of his sons, John and Isaiah (64th Virginia Mounted Infantry) are buried in the cemetery.  Just a few feet below them are buried four more Southern heroes, Noah Reedy (50th Virginia Infantry), John Sturgill (13th Kentucky Cavalry), and Joel Sturgill and John R. Boggs, (29th Virginia Infantry).  Small battle flags were placed at all six of the soldier’s graves.  After the military salute, the ritual of drinking from the same canteen was performed.  At the closing of the ceremony, the Church family (very large in number) thanked the camp and took up a donation.  A short story about the dedication and photographs of it were sent to all four of the above-described newspapers in hopes that they would publish them.  The camp’s financial report is as follows:  As of May 14, 2007, the Colonel Ben E. Caudill Camp has $594.05 in their checking account.  We received a check from the South Carolina SCV in the amount of $693 and in turn, wrote a check to Carrot Top Flagpole Company for their flagpole in the amount of $709.50 (the price had gone up since our last quote).  This transaction is not included in the above financial statement.  Honoring the Memory of our Ancestors, I remain your Adjutant Brown

 

Prayer Line

 

Let us remember the family of John Peck.  Pray for Doug Taylor (Bradford Rose Camp) that was killed in an accident Saturday.  He was heading for his daughter’s graduation.  His wife is in critical condition.  Pray for Bill Nordan (General John H. Morgan) who is in Central Baptist with a coronary attack and continue to pray for our beloved Cliff Howard (President Davis), as he bravely battles   Remember to pray for Gary Holdin, Puddin and others that give of their time as living historians.  Pray for all infirmed, alone and needing the touch of the Master’s hand and our troops that guard our freedom. Chaplains of the Confederacy

 

Sayings of the South

 

"We must humble ourselves before Almighty God, not to pray for victory over the enemy, but to plea at His footstool, the Lord of Hosts, who in His perfect Word, reminds us the battle is for the souls of men, whether the earthen battlefield gives us victory or defeat. I therefore call the people of the Confederacy, to pray that we may give Him glory and Honor in the study of His Word, and the ministry of such, that we may be found fit to die, finishing our main battle, that for the souls of men, well. To this end I, Jefferson David, President of the CSA, set the 27th Day of March, as a day of fasting, humiliation, and prayer."  Jefferson Davis

 

"I am nothing but a poor sinner, trusting Christ alone for salvation, and view this war as an opportunity to take the deepest interest in the spiritual welfare of men God has gathered in this army to allow me to tell of the doctrines of His grace. I pray that in some way as the enemy seeks to reduce our fathers, mothers, wives, and children, to steal our property and drive us from homes, that amist this calamity, we may find a way to show them the salvation of Jesus Christ before they meet the volley of fire we offer in our own defense. May we all find our valor in our service of Christ the King to be above that of the battlefields of earth. May we all be diligent students of the Bible, and find time, even amid the most active campaigns, to read some portion of God's Word Daily." Robert E. Le

 

"May we seize the opportunity of the gatherings of men as a sovereign move of God that we may have opportunity to take this blessed boot and counsel men in the way to light the pathway." Stonewall Jackson:

 

"Gentlemen, the greatest promotion has happened to me today, having been elected President of the Rockbridge Bible Society, and I pray that I may continue to distribute God's Word through giving of New Testaments to all Those I encounter, including the enemy if God should allow." Robert E. Lee

 

“We could have pursued no other course without dishonor.  And sad as the results have been, if it had all to be done again, we should be compelled to act in precisely the same manner.” R. E. Lee

 

"If I have ever come in contact with a sincere, devout Christian, one who, seeing himself to be a sinner, trusted alone the merits of Christ, and desired to be ready for death, not a valient warrior, but a one who humbly tried to walk the path of duty to Christ Jesus, Looking unto Jesus, the Author and finisher of his faith, desiring to be ready to be offered by Knowing the Book and giving it to others, That man was General RE Lee. If not he, then Tom Jackson, General Stonewall, who realized the true Stonewall was Jesus Christ." A statement made by Lee’s pastor in Lee’s last year on earth.  Lee gave his wages, in all, to the Lexington Baptist Church (VA).

 

"Union means so many millions a year lost to the South: secession means the loss of the same millions to the North.  The love of money is the root of this as of many other evils.  The quarrel between the North and South is, as it stands, solely a fiscal quarrel…The Northern onslaught upon slavery was no more than a piece of specious humbug designed to conceal its desire for economic control of the Southern states." Charles Dickens, 1861

 

Description of a Confederate Soldier by Thomas Snead, witness.

 

“In all their motley array there was hardly a uniform to be seen, and then, and throughout all the brilliant campaign on which they were about to enter, there was nothing to distinguish their officers, even a general, from the men in the ranks, save a bit of red flannel, or a piece of cotton cloth, fastened to the shoulder, or to the arm, of the former.  But for all that, they were the truest and best of soldiers.  Among them there was hardly a man who could not read and write, and who was not more intelligent than the great masses of American citizens; not one who had not voluntarily abandoned his home with all its tender ties, and thrown away all his possessions, and left father and mother, or wife and children, within the enemy’s lines, that he might himself stand by the South in her hour of great peril, and help her to defend her fields and her firesides.  And among them all there was not a man who had come forth to fight for slavery.”

 

 'We'll fight'em till hell freezes over, then we'll fight'em on the ice"

 

Trivia Questions

 

  1. What were “songsters”?
  2. What was the medicinal food called “panada”?
  3. What were “white washed Rebels”?
  4. Who were the “Katydids” at the Battle of New Market, Virginia?
  5. What kind of soldier was a “butternut”?
  6. What was the nickname of the renowned 1st Kentucky Brigade?
  7. What Union prison was called the “rat catcher’s paradise”?
  8. What name was given to the Union gunboats that wore only a light armor of iron?
  9. What far western battle was called the “Gettysburg of the West”?

10.   Who was the “damned little Yankee” lauded for killing a Confederate officer at 

      Chickamauga? 

 

Bluegrass Confederate,

Guerrant’s Diary-

Saturday, October 10, 1863

Blue Springs, Green County, Tennessee

 

The anticipated advance of the enemy upon our position was made this morning about 10 O’clock.  From 10 A.M. until 5 P.M. the battle continued without any material advantage to either party, our object being only to hold our position against superior numbers and operate a diversion for General Ransom, or rather now to save ourselves, now 75 miles from any base or support.  About 11 A.M. Witcher (immortal Witcher) with his 34th Batt’n (125 in number) which came up on us this morning with their old, torn battle flag, fresh from the fields of Maryland and Pennsylvania, made a charge and drove the enemy.  Colonel Carter commanded the right wing (1st Tennessee, 16th Georgia, Peters Regiment and Witchers Batt’n), about 800 in number and Colonel H.L. Giltner commanded our left wing (4th Kentucky, 10th Kentucky Mounted Rifles and May’s Regiment, about 900 in number) along the ridge we had two howitzers in one battery, two parrot guns in another and Schoolfield’s four little guns (Williams guns) in another.  During the day the artillery fought several duels.  Sometimes shelled the woods.

 

Welcome Compatriots Michael Baker, Wallace Kincer and James H. Adams!

 

Stone Total:  877 with 237 Dedications!
Answers to Trivia Questions

 

  1. Small songbooks printed for soldier’s use.
  2. Crumbled hardtack in whiskey.
  3. Confederate prisoners of war who took a loyalty oath to the Union and become Union soldiers.
  4. The eager cadets from the Virginia Military Institute, who helped win the battle.  The older soldiers gave them this nickname.
  5. Any Confederate soldier, but particularly one whose homemade brownish uniform had been dyed with walnut hulls.
  6. The Orphan Brigade
  7. Point Lookout in Maryland. 
  8. Tin cans, a name still used to denote destroyers. 
  9. The Battle of La Glorieta Pass in New Mexico.
  10. Johnny Clem, an 11 year old nicknamed the “Drummer Boy of Chickamauga”. 

 

Minutes

 

April 19, 2007

 

The monthly meeting of the Colonel Ben E. Caudill Camp No. 1629 was held on April 19, 2007, at the Letcher County Vocational School.  Members present were:  Danny Taylor, Okie Blair, Timothy Blair, Mike Baker, Willie Cornett, Manton Ray Cornett, Carlos Brock, Quenton Childers, Garland Kiser, Willis Strong, David Chaltas, Leathan Whitaker, Richard Brown, John P. Back, Wayne Watts, Kenneth Cantrell and guest, David Ruth.

 

The meeting was called to order by Wayne Watts. Commander Chaltas led the Pledge of Allegiance.   Danny Taylor led the salute to the Confederate Flag.  John P. Back gave opening prayer.  The Ancestor Roll was presented by each member.  Guests, Mike Baker and David Ruth, were recognized.  Adjutant Brown announced that there was a quorum present so therefore camp business could be conducted.  Adjutant Brown read the minutes from the March 15 meeting.  Okie made a motion to accept the minutes as read, Wayne seconded, motion passed.  Commander Chaltas explained to the guest about the empty, flag draped chair.  Commander Chaltas announced that the Sandlick Cemetery dedication date had to be changed to Monday, May 28, due to the re-enactment at Elkhorn City.  He then gave an eagle statue to Kenny Cantrell for getting Mike Baker to sign up as a new member.   He announced that the 6th panel was being inscribed this week by Appalachian Monument and should be delivered to Pound Gap by the first of next week.  Virginia’s flagpole is now ready to set and other states will soon follow.  Lieutenant Commander Back gave his comments and told about the successful dedications held for Stiller Bill Caudill and David Back, large crowds at both.  He then made a motion that the camp forego the by-law that required the camp to send copies of the new by-laws to every member by mail, and to accept the new by-laws if voted in by the camp, Wayne Watts seconded, motion passed.  Adjutant Brown gave adjutant and financial reports.  Carlos Brock read the new, proposed by-laws item by item, voting on each one separately.  All items were approved so the camp now has new by-laws in place.  Carlos then gave the tombstone report.  He reported that 877 stones have been set, 17 stones are in waiting to be set, and 16 stones are on order.  Two stones for the Sandlick Cemetery were taken to Appalachian Monument to have death dates engraved on them.  He announced that Faron and Richard were searching for the burial sites of two of Caudill’s men, Abram and James Childers, both of which died during the war.  Also looking for their grandfather’s grave, Abraham Childers as he was a Revolutionary War Soldier and is supposedly buried in Letcher County.  Commander Chaltas reported that he had confirmed that all graves in the Sandlick Cemetery would count toward our dedication numbers when we conduct the dedication on May 28.  Also, there are 15 unknown stones at Appalachian Monument to be cut for the Sandlick Cemetery.   Carlos also announced that tombstones would be set on April 20 for William Day (son of John L. Day) and Stephen Fields, both on Cowan Creek.  It was discussed that the camp needs a public representative (relations).  Richard Brown will talk to Judge Ward about having the county remove the large, dead pine tree in the Sandlick Cemetery.  It is very dangerous.  The camp needs to have a “dry run” before the dedication and hopefully a school of soldier.  Willis would like to know where to place the cannon beforehand.  John Back announced that the Leatherwood Committee would meet on Sunday, April 22, at 2:30 p.m.  He will work on having a small dedication of the battlefield that day.  Commander Chaltas announced that the camp had been asked by the Church family to do a dedication at the Joel Sturgill Cemetery on Bowman’s Creek (Eolia, KY) on April 29th at 10:00 a.m.  Gabriel Church had six sons join the Confederate army.  He also announced that he had sent the statement in the Mountain Eagle that downgraded the Confederate flag flying at the Pound Gap Monument to Dr. Hiter.  Dr. Hiter said for the camp to take care of it first but if needed, the state would step in to help.  He also said it might be a silver lining and galvanize people to help support the monument and flag.  It was noted that the flags had been rotated, especially Union flags.  Confederate Kin one and two were discussed.  Kenny Cantrell talked about Jenkins Day Festival.  The camp has obligated itself to conduct a skirmish on Sunday, August 26 at the Little Shepherd Amphitheatre.  It was suggested that we dedicate Virginia’s flagpole at that time.  Carlos made a motion to obtain a flagpole to place at the “unknown” stone just below the monument when funds become available, Wayne seconded, motion passed.  The camp’s scholarship was discussed, suggesting $250 for college and $250 for vocational school.  It was announced that the 5th Kentucky Company F meeting would be held on Wednesday, April 25, at the vocational school.  The next camp meeting will be held on May 18 at the Letcher Vocational School.  Meeting adjourned.

 

 

 

Executive Council Meeting

Cancelled due to lack of Quorum

May 15, 2007

Topics to have Discussed

Agenda

Dedications in May

Pound Gap Project Progress

State Reunion

Place dedications on the 103.9, Bulldog

Colors across KY

Presentation:  Black Confederates

 

 

Agenda

 

April 19, 2007

 

Call Business meeting to order-Sgt. At Arms Watts

Prayer-Chaplain Tabby Back

Pledges

Scripture Reading-Chaplain Tabby Back

Ancestral Roll Call-All members

Welcome-Recognition of new SCV & Associate Members

 (HAND OUT:  Membership Applications 2 each)

 

State if there is a Quorum present

Reading/Approval of Minutes-camp member

Commander’s Comments

Lt. Commander’s comments

Final reading of the Bylaws-vote on each section individually

 

New Business

 

Kentucky Division Executive Council Meeting

Form a Public Relations Committee

Dedication:  May 28, 2007 at Sandlick Cemetery 1:30

 

PRESENTATION:  Black Confederate Soldiers

 

Open Floor

 

ü      Events Committee-Report on Status of 2007 events

ü      Dedication of Whitesburg Cemetery Monument- Setting 4x16 markers to the Unknown soldiers

ü      Color Guard Practice

ü      Confederate Kin-ISBN=$150.00----Confederate Kin II has over 100 pages to date!

ü      Trash Pickup at Pound Gap-set date

ü      Trivia-Richard Brown

ü      Adjourn by Prayer