News from the Camp
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
As the 2007 season winds down and we are able to catch our breath, I sit in amazement at this year’s achievements. The Ben E. Caudill Camp #1629 fame has spread across this land, as we continue to honor the good names of our ancestors. The last two months of the year will see us complete the flag pole projects for 2007, erecting the confederate soldier figures on a pedestal and continue with the stone setting and dedications. This month we need to concentrate on the upcoming election for 2008. Nominations will be accepted this meeting and as per the Robert’s Rules of Order, will be posted on the web. The December meeting will see the vote for the various positions (Commander, 1st Lt. Commander, 2nd Lt. Commander, Adjutant/Treasurer, Quartermaster, Sgt. At Arms, Chaplain, Historian, Editor, Judge Advocate, and Surgeon) as described in our constitution and bylaws. Absentee votes will be accepted as per the specified protocol established last year. The voting will be secret ballot with 2 election officers to be in charge of the vote counts. All nominations must be made at the November meeting. The annual Christmas dinner needs to be set up and a good location found. Also, the Jefferson Davis pin concept is available for the camp. It would be an outstanding way of generating revenue for the treasury. We need to order a number Confederate Kin books, as Christmas is upon us and this would offer more money for the camp as well. According to the IRS, raffles and bingo are not sanctioned by our nonprofit status. By order of the Division Commander, Tom Hiter, effectively immediately, no raffles or bingo operations are permitted in the Kentucky Division. Also we need to be very tentative to the Lincoln License Plate Issue that has been discovered. It may well be a blessing in our efforts at obtaining tags. Please monitor the scandal closely. We are invited to a birthday celebration! That’s right, Kenny Cantrell’s mother is 98 years young and we will be honoring her on November 16, at the Hemphill School. I will be doing an interview via Moody Bible Institute pertaining to Christianity During the Civil War. This is a grand opportunity to spread not only our heritage but also the gospel truths. If you have any material, suggestions, please let me know. I will be working on Confederate Kin II over the holidays. A Very rough draft should be ready for revision(s) by January 1, 2008. We need to start looking at a great picture for the front and back cover. I remain your obedient servant. Old General Laus Deo
Upcoming Events:-November 16, 2007-Birthday Party for Mrs. Cantrell at the Hemphill School; December 8, 2007-Christmas Dinner at Ewing Elementary for Southern Guard November 17-Dedication of the Kentucky Monument at Vicksburg, Mississippi, had been CANCELLED-December 8, 2007-Christmas Dinner at Ewing Elementary; 6:00, December 8-9, 2007-Christmas Tours at the Bleak House in Knoxville, TN. Sat.-12:00-6:00. Sunday, 1:00-5:00; December 13, 2007-Commander Chaltas is the Keynote speaker at SCV in Blairsville, Georgia.
From the Adjutant’s Desk
The Colonel Ben E. Caudill Camp No. 1629 of the Sons of Confederate Veterans has 69 members that have either joined or rejoined for the next year. If anyone knows of someone that has not paid their dues, please contact them and encourage them to rejoin. I mailed letters informing everyone that was not told personally but the ones that have not rejoined may not have received them for some reason.
The Camp was well represented at the re-enactments at Wildcat and Leatherwood. Several of our members either participated or attended both events. I was well pleased with the turnout of camp members at the local event, Leatherwood. Hopefully this event will get better and better. I would like to thank everyone who called and showed his or her concern about Richie, my son. For those that don’t know, he was shot in the face with a pistol at the end of the re-enactment on Sunday. It was a miracle that he wasn’t blinded. I was told that the idiot that shot him was with Gay’s Battery from Nicholasville. I believe Richie deserves an apology from this guy but doesn’t look like that is going to happen. I doubt if my son ever goes back to that re-enactment and can’t say if I ever will either, but I hope for its continuing success, as it is local.
I would like to thank Willis Strong and Manton Ray Cornett for helping with the Letcher County Veterans Day Celebration on Saturday, November 10th. They brought the cannon to the event though only notified just a couple of days beforehand. We fired the cannon three volleys in honor of all veterans that have served our country. Several veterans and politicians expressed their gratitude for our participation. As a bonus, Manton and Willis got to tour the museum. I would encourage all people to visit, as you would be surprised with the displays. There is even a War Between the States display, which members of the camp donated to. The curator of the museum, Buddy Grubbs, happened to think of us a couple of days before the event and asked me if we would be interested in participating.
On an interesting note, I recently discovered a couple of unknown skirmishes that occurred in Perry County during the war. While reading a copy of the November, 1962, edition of the Civil War Times, I ran across a statement that said that a skirmish had occurred on Leatherwood in Perry County on November 6, 1862 and another one in Perry County on November 10, 1862. I was unaware of these two skirmishes before. I am sure the one on November 6 occurred at or near the saltworks near the mouth of the creek at Brashearville. Apparently, these dates came from Union records. The story that I wrote about my great great great grandfather, Private John Boggs, who was killed at Gettysburg, was published in last months Kentucky Explorer. This story has resulted in several people contacting me with additional information about him as well as other veterans. I would encourage all of our members to write about their ancestors and submit it to the publication as you might learn more about them. An added bonus would also be keeping interest in the War Between the States alive and well.
One of the owners of Mosby’s (Phillip) has offered to place a Caudill’s Army Flag, Colonel Caudill’s picture and a plaque telling of Caudill’s Army in their restaurant. I think we should take them up on the offer. Honoring the Memory of our Ancestors, I remain your Adjutant, Richard G. Brown
Chaplain’s Comments
Veteran's Day was on November 11, 2007, and all across the USA we honored the men and women who fight for us. It is only right and honorable that we should do so. As SCV members we should have Veteran's Day every day. We need to tell people how proud we are of our Confederacy ancestors; they too were fighting for America and God. So when we have our ancestor roll call please stand up proudly and offer them a tribute worthy of their sacrifices. Feel the blood of our Confederate Veterans that were in the War Between the States pulsate through your veins. We are Americans. We are Confederate Americans and love our southern lands. If you have any prayer request, email them to me at the5thkycampkettle@yahoo.com God bless Dixie, Chaplain Tabby Back
Prayer Line
Jeff Smith is still at Charleston, S. C., and his prognosis is the same. Please remember him and his family in prayer. Let us continue praying for Colonel Ronnie Robinson, General Parsons, Gary Holt, John Peck, Grady Lee, Carlos Brock, Willis Stong’s wife and family along with Manton Ray Cornetts. We are in of prayers for little Georgianah Marie, the newborn of Commander Burrow. She is having breathing complications. Let us continue to pray for the three young boys that came requesting that I pray for them right then at Blue Springs. Ask for unspoken prayers to be answered, as our God knows our needs prior to asking. Pray for our beloved Cliff Howard (President Davis). Remember to pray for Big Tree and his father, Mrs. Cantrell, and others that give of their time as living historians. Pray for all the infirmed, those alone and needing the touch of the Master’s hand, as well as our troops that guard freedom’s door. Pray for the unity of the camp and that in all things we work for the glory of God and with a humbled spirit. Let us continue to serve the cause of Christ and pray for the Ben Caudill Ministries as we carry on the tradition of our ancestors. Chaplains of the Confederacy
Trivia Questions
1. What explosion, the most famous “bang” of the war, occurred on July 30, 1864?
2. The discovery of what papers in March of 1864 enraged the south and temporarily rekindled the South’s fighting spirit?
3. When the Union army menaced Richmond in May of 1862, what did the panicked Virginia legislature vote to do with Richmond?
4. What could Governor Joseph Brown have done to stop the destruction that Sherman’s troops did in Georgia?
5. What Northern city was to be burned in retaliation for the Union atrocities in Georgia?
6. What did Union General David Hunter do to the Virginia Military Institute that enraged the southern people?
7. What important manufacturing facility in Fayetteville, North Carolina, was destroyed by Sherman’s Union troops?
8. What Union general tried to thwart Confederate raiders by making pre-cut bridges to replace supply bridges the raiders were burning in Tennessee?
9. What Maryland City near Washington burned its bridges to prevent Union troops to pass through on their way to Washington, D.C.?
10. What Confederate general stayed with friends in Whitesburg and called it a “small southern town”?
Bluegrass Confederate-Guerrant’s Diary
Tuesday, April 21, 1863
Poor Fork (now the town of Cumberland), Harlan County
“Started early, still following the Cumberland River, crossing it often as possible it seemed, until at length we turned off it at Slaughter’s and crossed the Laurel Mountain whose name should be changed to something less charming. Unwell as I was, taking some of Dr. Whipple’s powders and vexed to exasperation by a very sore mouth, I walked across this rugged mountain. A devious, single file path led us across another mountain to a creek (Pert Creek), and down to the North Fork of the Kentucky River about three miles above Whitesburg, where I arrived almost exhausted, about 6 P.M., 45 miles ride since yesterday morning. At Whitesburg, I staid at Mr. Brashear’s where I first met Governor Hawes in 1862. Fed my horse 3 pints of corn. Virginia bacon $1 per pound. General (Marshall) received orders to come to Knoxville, will go in the morning.”
Answers to Trivia Questions
1. The Crater incident at Petersburg, Virginia.
2. The papers on the body of Union Colonel Ulric Dahlgren. The papers described a plot to burn Richmond and assassinate President Jefferson Davis and his cabinet.
3. Burn it instead of seeing it fall into Union hands. Fortunately, this did not happen.
4. Sherman offered not to burn Georgia if they withdrawed all Georgia forces from the Confederate army, which of course, the governor refused to do.
5. New York City
6. He burnt it in 1864 for no tactical reason.
7. The rifle making works, which had originally been at the Federal arsenal at Harper’s Ferry.
8. General William T. Sherman (considered by many to be one of the United States first terrorist)
9. Baltimore, which had strong southern sentiments. General Humphrey Marshall, who stayed several times at the Brashears house and the Craft house, and always talked fondly of the town.
Congratulations Compatriots!!
949 Stones Set with 374 Dedications
Image of the Month!
Executive Cuncil Meeting
Conducted via Internet
Richard Brown, Manton Ray Cornett, David Chaltas & John P. Back
November 15, 2007
Agenda developed
Nominations for Camp Officers
Christmas Dinner
Ordering 5 Confederate Kin
Jefferson Davis Pins-2 options-250 minimum order
Purchase a Caudill Flag to donate to Mosby’s 13th KY Display that we will design
Membership Drive
Expenditures:
DUES
Budget for the Quartermaster & Public Relations Committee ($200 each)
Pound Gap Project Progress-South Carolina flagpole set
Meeting with Ms. Leslie Combs regarding funding next week
Support the following candidates for honorary membership into the Camp
Colors across the Commonwealth
Minutes
October 18, 2007
The monthly meeting of the Colonel Ben E. Caudill Camp No. 1629 of the Sons of Confederate Veterans was held at 6:30 p.m. on October 18, 2007, at the Letcher County Vocational School. Members present were: Danny Taylor, Tim Blair, Okie Blair, Carlos Brock, Wayne Watts, Garland Kiser, Richard Brown, Danny Wright, John Back, Gary Begley, and David Chaltas. Guest were: Lawrence Cook, Rhonda Robertson and Tim Kelley.
Sergeant at Arms Wayne Watts opened the meeting and then led the Pledge of Allegiance. Richard Brown led the Salute to the Confederate Flag. Commander Chaltas gave the opening prayer. The Ancestor Roll Call was performed with Commander Chaltas honoring Captain James Rogers and some of his exploits. The guest present were recognized by Commander Chaltas; Lawrence Cook, Rhonda Robertson and Tim Kelley. It was noted that the meeting had no quorum and therefore no official business could be voted on (11 members present, 12 is required for quorum). It was noted that Manton Ray Cornett and Willis Strong had taken the cannon to Wildcat and to help set up the blacksmith shop there. Richard read the minutes from the September meeting after which Wayne Watts made a motion to accept, Danny Taylor seconded, motion passed. Commander Chaltas gave the Commander’s Comments and reminded everyone that elections would be held at the end of the year. He also announced that the Caudill Flag had flown at 26 events so far this year and that 30 church meetings had been held (that involved members of the camp). The commander thanked the members of the camp that participated in the dedication at Ash Camp for the Moore brothers (Aaron and Alexander). He told about the Blue Springs (Tennessee) Event and about the death of fellow re-enactor, Jim Maddox. The commander then read the schedule of events for the remainder of the year.
John P. Back talked about the upcoming reenactment of the Battle of Leatherwood on October 26 thru 28. He encouraged all camp members to participate. The commander reported that the Letcher County Fiscal Court had paid the $300 bill owed to Appalachian Monument for the camp (work on stones for the monument). Also, Mark Carroll donated the $60 owed to him for maintaining the website back to the camp. In absence of Chaplain Tabby Back, the commander gave the Chaplain’s Comments. He then took prayer request from the camp. Lt. Commander John Back then led prayer for the request. Richard Brown gave the Adjutant Report, reminding everyone that the dues were now due. Guest, Lawrence Cook thanked the camp for its participation in the dedication of the Moore brothers at Ash Camp (Mr. Cook was the gentleman who put the dedication together). He also announced he was interested in joining the camp. Guests, Rhonda Robertson and Tim Kelley gave out copies of the DVD of the Battle of Gladesville. The camp wanted to make both honorary camp members but could not due to not having a quorum.
Gary Begley, also chairman of the Leatherwood event, announced that the website for the event had been changed to www.battleofleatherwood.com . He showed copies of the 145th anniversary pin commemorating the battle as well as the postage stamp of R.S. Brashears, first Postmaster at Brashearville. Carlos Brock gave a talk about Private Silas Callahan, buried on Little Leatherwood. Commander Chaltas showed a movie entitled, The Burial of the Last Known Confederate Widow (since the release of the film, another widow has been located, the widow of Private Cantrell of the 7th Confederate Cavalry). Commander Chaltas said that the funeral for compatriot Jim Maddox made him aware that our camp should plan for a funeral for one of our camp members if they should happen to die and want the camp to be part of the funeral. John Back closed the meeting with prayer. The next meeting will be held on Thursday, November 15, at the Letcher County Vocational School. Meeting adjourned.
Agenda
November 15, 2007
Call Business meeting to order-Sgt. At Arms Watts
Pledges
Prayer-Scripture Reading-Chaplain Tabby Back
Ancestral Roll Call-All members
Welcome-Recognition of new SCV, Honorary & Associate Members
(HAND OUT: Membership Applications)
State if there is a Quorum present
Reading/Approval of Minutes-camp member
Commander’s Comments
New Business
Nominations for Camp Officers
Christmas Dinner
Ordering Confederate Kin Proposed-number set by quorum (5 on order)
Jefferson Davis Pins-250 minimum proposed
Membership Drive
Vote on Members:
Honorary Members recommendation
Open Floor
ü Events Committee-Report on Status of 2007 events: Wildcat, Leatherwood
ü Setting South Carolina Flagpole and Statue on the mountain
ü Trash Pickup at Pound Gap-set date
ü Confederate Kin-ISBN=$150.00----Ordering …
ü Iron Cross from S.C. has been Ordered
ü
ü PRESENTATION:
ü Trivia-Richard Brown
Adjourn by Prayer