2002 November Issue

The last Salute

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

The Charge

"To you, Sons of Confederate Veterans, we submit the vindication
of the Cause for which we fought; to your strength will be given the
defense of the Confederate soldier's good name, the guardianship
of his history, the emulation of his virtues, the perpetuation of those
principles he loved and which made him glorious and which you
also cherish. Remember, it is your duty to see that the true history
of the South is presented to future generations."

Commander’s Tent

Let me extend my congratulations to a job well done for those able to participate in the reenactment of the Battle of Leatherwood on October 18-19, 2002. It was a resounding success. We were able to pick up nine new members and the publicity has been wonderful. The Old General has attached an agenda for you to review. As commander, I was honored to be among those men willing to sacrifice their time and efforts. Your ancestors would be proud. Extend the rebel yell for those honoring the men of yesteryear.

Currently the camp has located 630 13^th KY. Cavalrymen’s burial sites and has dedicated 102. The Caudill Camp has just set our 508^th Confederate marker. On November 19,2002 Faron Sparkman with the assistance of Perry County historian Joe Wells placed a military marker for Private James H. Hart, (Co. A, 13^th Kentucky Cavalry). Private Hart was born in North Carolina in 1818 but moved to Letcher County, Kentucky. He married Jane Jones (1822-1917) in 1840. He enlisted under Ben Caudill in Company F of the 5th Kentucky Infantry on November 1, 1861 and

saw action at the Battle of Middle Creek and Battle of Princeton. He

transferred to Captain Hiram Stamper's Company of the 13th Kentucky Cavalry

in the fall of 1862 and saw action in a number of skirmishes throughout

Eastern Kentucky and Southwestern Virginia in 1862 and 1863. Private Hart

was captured along with his commanding officers on the morning of July 7,

1863 in Wise County Virginia. He was transported on foot, horseback and finally

by river barge to Kemper Barracks in Cincinnati, Ohio on July 18, 1863. He also

was moved by train to Camp Chase Prison in Columbus, Ohio on July 20, 1863. He was transferred by train to Camp Douglas Prison in Chicago, Illinois on August

24, 1863 where he remained until being exchanged at Point Lookout, Maryland

on February 24, 1865. Private Hart walked home from Maryland to Letcher

County in the spring of 1865. He remained in Letcher County for about three

years before relocating before 1870 near Wooton, Kentucky (then in Perry

County, now Leslie County). He died in January of 1873 and was buried in

the Pace Cemetery at the mouth of Pace's Branch of Flackey Creek (between

Wooton and Hyden). For 129 years Private Hart's final resting place had

only been marked by a broken sandstone with the crudely hand carved

inscription, "J.H. Hart, deceased Jan. 1873." Now on a steep point

overlooking the waters of Flackey Creek he is properly marked as a proud

member of "Caudill's Army", the 13th Kentucky Cavalry. This was the second

marker that the Ben Caudill Camp has placed for a Confederate soldier in Leslie

County, an area that was predominantly Union territory.

Richard Smith, Danny Taylor and the Old General are working on a skit that was performed for the Treasures of Hills and Hollows and the Battle of Leatherwood. It is an educational journey, taking the story of a private’s adventures walking back to camp after his horse was shot at the Battle of Leatherwood. Hopefully, the skit will be ready to be presented at schools as well filming. Another idea is to approach the run it on the school channel once taped.

My Kepi & Me

My Kepi & 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 tip our Kepi to Raymond Isaacs! Raymond joined the camp on 11/07/93 as a charter member. He proudly entered on PVT George Washington Isaacs (Company E, 13^th Kentucky Cavalry). He is the son of the late Helen Bentley and Theodore (T.D.) Isaacs. Raymond lives on Rockhouse at Colson with his wife Annette Bates Isaacs. They have been blessed with four children. They have six grandchildren. Raymond is a devoted husband, loving father and grandfather. He enjoys fishing, deer hunting and wood working. He is a member of the Lonesome Pine Masons (Neon Chapter #881) and has served as master mason. He is a retired schoolteacher and was the coach of the Fleming Neon High School Pirates. He was voted outstanding football player by his classmates when he was in high school and was inducted into the Fleming Neon Athletic Hall of Fame on September 4, 1999. Raymond has served the cause of preserving our eastern Kentucky heritage well and has participated in several dedications, as well as stone settings and other activities when called upon to do so and considered to be well versed in his ancestral linage. He is a well respected within the community and all that have come to know him have went away as a better person by that privilege. Gentlemen, let us tip our Kepis in recognition of a proud Son, Raymond Isaacs!

Battle of Leatherwood

October 18-19

The Battle of Leatherwood is now a history! The two-day event was a complete success. Over 850 witnessed the battle and the estimated attendance over the two-day event was over 2,000. Several people have commented that it was like stepping back into another era. The Eastern Kentucky magazine has a feature article on the battle and the Civil War Courier is considering publishing an article written by the Old General in the December issue. Also, a copy of the story has been sent to Kentucky Explorer. Plans are already being made for a bigger/better reenactment for the 2003 season. Also, the Mountain Heritage Committee is interested in considering having the Battle of Whitesburg during the Festival for the coming year. We have submitted an article on the Battle of Whitesburg written by Richard Brown (revised by the Old General) for consideration in the Letcher County Heritage publication. Both would be a major accomplishment and promote our local history efforts.

The Hunley Report

At the time of this publication, we are considering requesting to be honor guards over the remains of the eight-crew members of the Hunley after Christmas (during the Christmas break). Keep in mind that the Hunley sank 3 times, lost a total of 22 men and was the first submarine to ever sink a ship (record held for over 50 years!). What an honor this would be for the camp to participate in such a historical event. To date Danny Taylor, Richard Brown and the Old General have committed to the honor of representing our camp and ancestors. Who else will rally with me to guard those true American heroes of yesteryear as they make their last mission to their final resting place? Richard Brown has been delegated to make the arrangements.

Monthly Communications

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 Calvary!

Michael Watts

Roxanna, Kentucky

Mark Barger

Ulvah, Kentucky

Tim Harp

Hazard, Kentucky

Greg Ison

Leatherwood, Kentucky

Bee Ison

Leatherwood, Kentucky

David F. Campbell

Letcher, Kentucky

Michael Tyree

Hot Spot, Kentucky

Wilmer Rieche

Rio Rancho, New Mexico

Matt Chandler (Our Youngest Reb!)

Cowan, Kentucky

Jerry & Brandon Wells

Patriots of Leatherwood