http://www.bencaudill.com

Our deepest condolences go out to compatriot Roger Hall for the loss of his mother. She was 93 years young. Let us continue to pray for our friend and compatriot’s family. It is also my sad duty to report the loss of yet another brother, Captain Atlas Hall. He died on November 11, 2006 after a gallant fight with major medical problems and numerous operations. His funeral was on November 15, 2006 at Ramseur, North Carolina. All will miss him. Gentlemen it is my duty to inform you that elections of officers are upon us. This month we are asking you to nominate the candidate of your choice so that we can post it on the web. This year we will have the vote via secret ballot. You will be able to vote on line (absentee) and/or nominate someone to be seconded. Also, after much contemplation and prayer, I must submit to you that I will not seek nor will I accept the nomination for any officer position within the camp. My reasons are several but the main one is that I am concentrating on the Division Chaplain position along with promoting the good name of our ancestors, as I offer presentations at different locations throughout our land. I do pray that you will continue the vision and mission of our camp, as you diversify your endeavors to include even more grand projects. I will pledge to do all I can to assist in the perpetuation of our heritage but at this juncture find that my work, obligations in the forthcoming year and my dwindling health causes me to fade from the position that I have dearly loved and the vision that I shall not forsake. I do plan to continue working on the projects that were started (Pound Gap, Whitesburg, dedications etc.) and work towards keeping Caudill’s Army in the forefront in the battle on ignorance. My With Sacred Principles to Maintain, I remain your obedient servant, Old General…Laus Deo

Veterans know that the Oath of Allegiance has no expiration date.

It is the VETERAN, not the preacher, who has given us freedom of Religion.

It is the VETERAN, not the reporter, who has given us freedom of Press.

It is the VETERAN, not the poet, who has given us freedom of Speech.

It is the VETERAN, not the campus organizer, who has given us freedom of Assemble.

It is the VETERAN, not the lawyer, who has given us the right to a fair trial.

It is the VETERAN, not the politician, who has given us the Right to Vote.

It is the VETERAN, who salutes the Flag.

It is the VETERAN, who serves under the Flag,

Eternal rest grant them O Lord, and let Perpetual Light shine upon them.

The Colonel Ben E. Caudill Camp No. 1629 currently has 56 members. Our retention rate is barely over fifty-seven percent as at the end of 2006 fiscal year we had 98 members. Letters were sent to all of the out-of-town members informing them of the date that dues were to be paid. One suggestion would be to send a different letter to our old members who have not rejoined encouraging them to do so. Also, current members could look over the list of members who have not joined back and contact them personally. I am open for suggestions in this important matter.

We set nine more unknown stones at the Sandlick Cemetery last week. The total by the monument is now six known tombstones and twenty-one unknown stones. I have given Faron a list of the 29^th and 54^th Virginia Infantry soldiers that may be buried there. He is going to work on the list this winter. Hopefully we can have more "known" tombstones to set there in the near future. It would be great to have more there before the dedication next spring. Our thanks go to Appalachian Monument for cutting the twenty-one unknown stones at their cost. If you have not been to the cemetery lately, I would encourage you to visit and see the fruits of the camp’s labor. I believe our ancestors would be proud of what we have done. With the leaves off now, you can see the First National Flag flying from the road.

The camp was represented very well at the re-enactments of Wildcat and Leatherwood. Members of the camp participated as artillerymen, firing the camp’s cannon without a misfire. Some members were infantrymen, chaplains and speakers. Also, some members participated with the Blacksmith Association. Other camp members supported the events by attending and cheering the camp on. Everyone seemed to have a great time and it definitely helped promote our heritage. Most people attending did not know that their ancestors had an important role in the War Between the States. Many did not know that anything even happened in our area during the war. At any event there will probably be an incident that hurts what we are attempting to do and such was the case of the Battle of Leatherwood. Regardless, we should keep in mind that the overall good should outweigh the negatives. Many re-enactors said that the meal on Saturday was the best they had ever been served and most appreciated the powder ration as well. I did not attend the ball but everyone that did said it was the best ever. Overall, I think the re-enactment at Leatherwood helped and entertained the community.

From reports that I am hearing, the re-enactment scheduled for Wise in July of next year is coming along great. Both the city of Wise and the county have endorsed the event and will help make it a reality. Be sure to keep July 6^th and 7^th of next year open to either participate or attend this worthwhile event. I am sure you will not be disappointed.

If anyone has a winter project that they would like to see the camp do, please inform your fellow members. One suggestion would be to clean the cemetery at Childers Bulk plant at Pine Mountain Junction. It is an overgrown thicket now. Another thought would be to raise money to buy a monument to place at the Wise Cemetery in Wise in honor of the men that died in the Confederate hospital there. Dozens of men from Kentucky regiments would be included on the monument. I would also like to see our camp conduct more dedications. A trip to a battlefield or event utilizing carpooling by our camp members would be fun. Adjutant Brown

Stone Total: 842 with 214 Dedications

Atlas D. Hall was born at Lackey, Knott County, Kentucky, and currently resides in Ramseur, Randolph County, North Carolina. He joined the SCV on the military record of his great-great grandfather, Pvt. William R. Hall, Jr., Co. C, "Diamond's" 10th Kentucky Cavalry. He is also descended from a large number of Confederates, including a large number in the 13th Kentucky Cavalry. Research indicates at least 35 men who rode in the 13th are related to him. Some of his known and proven ancestors (in addition to Wm. R. Hall, Jr.) who wore the Gray include:

Captain William J. Hall, Co. E, 13th Ky. Cav.
Lt. Miles Hall, Co. E., 13th Ky. Cav.
Captain Robert Bates, Co. A, French's Battalion of Infantry, Virginia State Line (Partisan Rangers)
Lt. Martin V. "Baby" Bates, Co. A, French's Battalion of Infantry, Virginia State Line (Partisan Rangers)
Lt. William J. Bates, 7th Confederate Cavalry, Virginia Partisan Rangers
Captain Daniel Hager, AQM, "Diamond's" 10th Ky. Cav.
Sgt. Lee Hall, 13th Ky. Cav. (died as a POW at Camp Morton)
Sgt. James Bates, 5th Ky. Mtd. Inf., (killed by Unionist Home Guards while on detached duty obtaining horses)
Corporal David Hall, 13th Ky. Cav.
Pvt. Anthony Hall, 13th Ky. Cav.
Pvt. Martin Thornsberry, Co. E, 13th Ky. Cav.
Pvt. Enoch Thornsberry, Co. E, 13th Ky. Cav.
Pvt. John H. Hall, 13th Ky. Cav.
Pvt. James Hall, Co. F, 13th Ky. Cav.
Pvt. Harrison Hall, Co. E, 44th Virginia Infantry (Zouaves)

Atlas was married to Judith E. "Stevens" Hall, on 4 November 1989, in Floyd County, Kentucky, and although they have no children together; she had three children who were like his own. Atlas had two children from a previous marriage. Between Judy and Atlas, they had 12 grandchildren.

Atlas graduated from Morehead State University, in Morehead, Kentucky, receiving a Bachelors Degree in 1983. He briefly worked as a substitute schoolteacher in the Floyd and Knott County (Kentucky) School systems. He was then employed at Otter Creek Correctional Center, where he advanced through the ranks to a Unit Administrator.

Due to complications from open-heart surgery in 2004, he retired, and moved to North Carolina, where he has two step-daughters living. Altas had always wanted to live in the area that he now lives, as his Scottish ancestor during the Revolutionary War, who was a Continental soldier captured at Charleston, SC and who remained on a prison ship for over two years before being released, lived only 25 miles from his present home. Our beloved Captain Hall passed away from this earth on November 11, 2006 leaving a host of friends and family to grieve his departure. I am reminded of the old saying that says, "When you were born, you cried but the world rejoiced, so you must live your life in such a manner that when you die, the world cries while you rejoice." Tell all that our captain has done so. Ladies and gentlemen, let us stand in silence, as we tip our kepis to our compatriot and brother, Atlas Hall.

1. Who were four notorious outlaws that served in William Quantrill’s Confederate raiders?
2. What was the preferred weapon of the raiders?
3. Why was service in a Confederate Partisan unit so attractive for young men?
4. What was the name of the Partisan Ranger unit that served in southeastern Kentucky and southwestern Virginia?
5. What weapon did the Partisan Rangers use to disable a train?
6. What partisan activity did Robert E. Lee call unauthorized and discreditable?
7. How were partisan rangers trained to become marksmen on horseback?
8. Who was the Kentucky guerilla leader, Sue Mundy?
9. What guerilla fighter of the American Revolution was the idol of Confederate Partisan Rangers?

Quote from the Headquarters Diary of Edward Guerrant

Sunday, December 13, 1863

Washington County, Virginia

"Rose at day this morning and fed my pacing filly, preparatory to going to Abingdon to see Captain Peter Everett. (Everett arrived at Abingdon on December 11) Wrote his report of the expedition: Left Virginia on November 18 with 234 men (Major Chenoweth and part of the 10^th Kentucky Mounted Rifles were with him) Surprised two companies of Yankee Cavalry at Salyersville on the 30^th. Captured 30 or 40 and killed 10 or 12. Marched to Mt. Sterling on December 2^nd drove in the White Horse Picket capturing the White Horses (the black rascals escaped under the cover of night) ran off the garrison, burnt the courthouse. Came to Jackson in Breathitt County on December 4^th, dispersed the garrison (100) and killed 200 Government hogs and burned the town which had been converted into a fort. Left Tom Chenoweth and his "Yahoos" on Rockhouse, and escaped out Pound Gap, pressed by an intercepting force from towards Pikeville. Nothing more."

1. Frank and Jesse James, Cole and Jim Younger
2. A double barreled shotgun.
3. The Confederate Congress paid the men for arms and ammunition they captured.
4. Fields Partisan Rangers, Captain William J. Fields commanding.
5. They would use a mountain howitzer to shoot a hole through the boiler of the train.
6. The robbing of civilians as they were to confine themselves to harassing Union soldiers and supplies.
7. By firing live ammunition at trees while galloping by them on horseback.
8. Marcellus Clark of Morgan’s Men. He denied the allegation just before being hanged. Many historians agree, saying that Sue Mundy was actually a figment of the Louisville Courier newspaper’s imagination and used to sell newspapers.
9. Francis Marion, the "Swamp Fox".
10. Bushwhackers

Colonel Ben Caudill Camp #1629

Box 1102

Whitesburg, Kentucky 41826

Gentlemen, after ten years of service as your secretary/treasurer, I hereby submit my resignation beginning January, 2007. I submit the following financial report for your review.

Statement Balance as of November 03, 2006 $2,135.83

10/24/06 Ck #1044 Maggard Florist (Ms. Lola) $37.10

10/24/06 Ck# 1045 Deana’s Design (Mark Barger) $40.00

10/26/06 Ck# 1046 Appal. Monument (Unknown Markers) $105.00

10/30/06 Ck# 1047 SCV Nationals $995.00

10/30/06 Ck# 1048 KY Division Dues $490.00

10/30/06 Ck# 1049 Willis Strong (cannon bounty) $100.00

11/3/06 Ck# 1050 (National SCV) $80.00

11/03/06 Ck# 1051 (SCV State Dues) $40.00

Total Withdrawal for month $1.887.10

Members Present: Johnny P. Back, Danny Taylor, Richard Brown, Okie W. Blair, Tim W. Blair, Carlos Brock, Danny L. Wright, Manon Dale Wright, Garland Kiser, Tabby Back, David Chaltas, Gary Begley and Ms. Evelyn Begley. There were not enough members present for a quorum.

The regular scheduled meeting of the Colonel Ben E. Caudill Camp No. 1629 was held at the Letcher County Vocational School in Whitesburg on October 19, 2006. Members present were: Johnny P. Back, Danny Taylor, Richard Brown, Okie W. Blair, Tim W. Blair, Carlos Brock, Danny L. Wright, Manon Dale Wright, Garland Kiser, Tabby Back, David Chaltas, Gary Begley and Ms. Evelyn Begley. There were not enough members present for a quorum.

The meeting was called to order by Carlos Brock. Tabby Back gave the opening prayer. Danny Taylor led the Pledge of Allegiance. Commander Chaltas lead the Salute to the Confederate Flag. Tabby Back read some scripture and took prayer request for Kelly Hall and our men in Iraq, Jean Hampton, Richard Crowe, Tom Whitaker, Dixon Calhoun, Kenny’s mother, Roger’s mother, Wayne Whitaker and the Taylor family. Johnny P. Back gave a word of prayer. Commander Chaltas read "My Flag" poem. The CSA ancestor Memorial was discussed. The possibility of lowering the percentage of members needed at a meeting to hold a quorum was discussed. Most in attendance believed it would be justified, as many members are from out of town and do not attend the meetings. A Get Well card was signed by all in attendance to be mailed to Richard Crowe. A group should be gathered to visit Tom Whitaker at the Hazard Veterans center. Commander Chaltas spoke on the "Commander’s Comments". Johnny P. Back spoke on the "Lt. Commander’s Comments". Richard Brown spoke on the "Adjutant’s Comments" and reminded members that membership dues were due. Richard Brown announced that the Pike County camp of the SCV is helping sponsor a re-enactment at Elkhorn City and they wanted the Caudill Camp to participate. The camp members participation in the re-enactments of the Battle of Perryville and Battle of Wildcat were discussed. The camp’s Christmas dinner is scheduled for December 15 at 7:00 P.M. at the Letcher County Extension Office. Johnny P. Back will make arrangements. Financial Report read by Commander Chaltas. Tabby Back announced that the camp was invited to participate in the Pound Christmas Parade on Sunday, December 3. Gary Begley announced that the camp was invited to participate in the Hazard Christmas Parade on Saturday, November 25. The Robert E. Lee essay contest for school children was discussed. Danny Taylor discussed the LMU project. The dedication for the Unknown Soldier Monument at the Sandlick Cemetery was tentatively decided on for Memorial Day of 2007. Gary Begley gave a report on the upcoming Leatherwood Re-enactment. Richard Brown gave the Trivia Questions. A small auction for funds for the camp was held ($8.00 raised). Closing Prayer was held and meeting adjourned. Next meeting scheduled for November 16 at the Letcher County Vocational School.

November 14, 2006

Following the guidelines of the ‘Sunshine Laws’ we submit the monthly synopsis of the topics discussed at the Executive Meeting.

Line Items Discussed

Confederate Kin-ISBN to be discussed on floor.

Trash pickup date-Richard Brown

Election and procedural guidelines: nominations made and ballots to be used

Dedication of Whitesburg Cemetery discussed

Agenda for 11/16 developed

Website Discussed

Dues/Recruitment Drive

LMU-Danny Taylor

Wise County Event

Pound Gap-talking to Mayor Dixon and City Council

Certificates Nominations Discussed

New member application

Email

Call Business meeting to order-Sgt. At Arms

Prayer-Chaplain Tabby Back

Welcome-Recognition of new SCV & Associate Members

Pledges

Scripture Reading-Chaplain Tabby Back

Ancestral Roll Call-All members

State if there is a Quorum present

Reading/Approval of Minutes-camp member

Commander’s Comments

Lt. Commander’s Corner-Back

Adjutant Report-Brown

Financial Report-Lt. Commander Back

Follow the newly adapted Bylaws

Franklin-November 30, 2006

Lee Essay Contest

RECRUITMENT DRIVE

• Wise County Reenactment Presentation
• Events Committee-Kenny Cantrell-FN-Jenkins
• LMU-Danny Taylor
• Bench at LCCHS-Chaltas
• Confederate Kin-revision-Final-ISBN=$150.00
• Stone Reports-823 set with 206 dedications to date
• Dedication of Whitesburg Cemetery Monument-set date
• Pictures for Gazebo-Richard Brown-project completed
• Trash Pickup
• Trivia-Richard Brown
• PRESENTATION:
• Auction/drawing
• Adjourn by Prayer