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!
Lochlainn Seabrook-Nashville, Tennessee
Mark Ashley-Raymond Washington
Troy Cornett-Hazard, Kentucky
Tommy Orms-White Oaks, Texas
Michael Caudill-Brooklyn, New York
Dennis Boggs-Nashville, Tennessee-Associate Membership
Gentlemen, the accolades keep coming as we march forward carrying our banner of heritage honorably to others across this land. This month we have been involved with several reenactments (Barbourville, Crown Hill Cemetery Memorial Service in Indianapolis, Indiana, Battle of Corinth, Mississippi, Battle of Zollicoffer (Bluff City, Virginia), Battle of Leatherwood, Perryville and Wildcat), offered school presentations in Jenkins Middle School, along with escorting Abe Lincoln (Dennis Boggs of Nashville, Tennessee) to all schools in Letcher County, stone setting adventures, participated in a period wedding at the Bleak House in Knoxville, Tennessee, and worked on phase II of the Pound Gap Monument. We have been featured in the Civil War Courier in the month of September and October along with several articles appearing in other magazines. We are truly leading this grand nation in what we do to honor our ancestors and the charge given unto us so long ago. My hats are off to you, the grandest brothers that one could have.
This month we need to place the memorial stones at the Pound Gap monument, plant shrubs around the octagon area, work with Mrs. Josephine Richardson on getting a rack for more brochures in place, cut the grass and have a trash pick up on the mountain. I suggest Friday the 21st for the above-mentioned items. I plan to take my students up on that date and have them assist with planting the shrubs and the evening would be good for a trash pick up campaign. Keep in mind that we will be making money for the camp ($100 a mile)! We also need to rally around the Letcher County Veterans Memorial this month and assist in whatever manner that we can. The dedication is tentatively set for November 11 and we have been asked to be the honor guard. We need to meet with the Jenkins City Council and ask for assistance in obtaining electricity for spotlights and floodlights for the monument and flags. Also I am in need of forming a committee for our Christmas Dinner. The ladies are taking care of the cooking. We need to work on the opening ceremonies, guest speaker, music, place mats and other aspects of our 1st Lee/Jackson Dinner. Remember our ghost roast on Oct. 29 at Fish Pond Lake. Call Kenny Cantrell for details. It will be a blast! Speaking of blast, we now are the proud owners of a cannon! We will be working in conjunction with the East Kentucky Blacksmith Association on detailing the cannon as a replica of that era. See Richard Smith or Richard Brown.
The Kentucky Division Executive Council met on Saturday, October 8 at Perryville. The following items were discussed: Vicksburg Monument, Division Elections coming in January, Paducah property, chaplain’s report, Kroger Card Initiative, ‘Lost Cause’, adjutant and heritage report. A complete report will be offered at the monthly meeting or contact me for details.
Be blessed this day, The Old General
The period of time that has passed since our last appointed meeting has been nothing if not interesting. The Barbourville reenactment saw the baptism of 26 individuals many of those involved were Caudill Camp members. Our own General has also been very active attending the Corinth reenactment and walking the Dupont flag line along with other activities. The Battle of Leatherwood Reenactment took place in the first of October but was not the rousing success it could have been due to continuing problems with leadership and safety issues. The ladies of our camp continue to work on securing their UDC chapter and are progressing well. Our ladies are also well into the planning stage of our Christmas Dinner tentatively scheduled for December 3, 2005 at the new Extension Center. As always remember to keep your heads down and you powder dry.
Deo Vindice, Lt. Commander John P. 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 offer a salute and give up a hardy Rebel yell for a group of men living the Charge: If you happen to be in Richmond, Virginia on Thursday afternoon around 3:30, and driving south on Jefferson Davis Avenue, you will notice a group of men standing beside the road with their flags unfurled and heads lifted high. The Chester Station Camp 1503! For five long years they have walked the flag line every Thursdays asserting their 1st amendment rights of assembly and have proudly flown the flags of our ancestors. These men of the south stand guard (and have done so for five years) in the snow, rain, summer heat and sleet preserving our heritage. These magnificent men wave their flags with dignity as cars and trucks drive by honking their support for their stance. On occasion a heckler will drive by but the men act as gentlemen. For they know that each person has a right to his own opinion, speech as well as religion. That is all these men seek. They simply seek the right to wear their forefather’s symbols of heritage without disciplinary action being taken by an employer not understanding the constitutional rights of all people or choosing to ignore the basic principles in which this great country was founded. H. K. has walked the line and now General Lee has supported them. The Caudill Banner has flown beside the other flags of southern heritage. But it is THEY, those magnificent seven along with others that walk the line each Thursday come rain or shine and it is THEY that have stepped up to the task of defending our heritage. They are the guardians of the gate and whatever happens to them will happen to us. My hat is off and I offer a salute to those brave men of Virginia that continue the course, and are the watchman on the wall guarding our heritage. It is with a great sense of pride that I submit the Chester Station Camp for your salutation. Ladies and gentlemen let us tip our kepis and offer a resounding rebel yell for our compatriots/brothers: the Chester Station Camp #1503 and all that have supported the cause.
The Old General
The Colonel Benjamin Caudill Camp # 1629 currently has 103 members. This will be the last camp meeting before November 1st, at which time the names of any camp member who has not paid their dues of $30 will be purged from the camp roll by the National office. If you have not paid your dues yet, either pay Danny Taylor tonight or make sure that you get the money to him before the 1st of November. Once you have been dropped, it will cost an additional $5 to rejoin.
This is our first meeting at the Letcher County Extension Office in Whitesburg. I would like to thank their Board of Directors for allowing us to use their fine facility. I would also like to have a fundraiser to buy a couple of nice flag poles to place our flags upon. We could then leave our flags in the room if we decide to.
Our camp has bought the mountain howitzer for $1,500 from Tim Wilson of Scottsville, Kentucky. On behalf of the camp, I would like to thank Danny Taylor and Richard Smith for making the five-hour trip to pick the cannon up. The cannon was in the process of being constructed when we bought it and is not complete. I have been informed that Richard Smith, and other members of the Blacksmith group have volunteered to finish the cannon. I am sure that they would appreciate any and all assistance in this project. We will need to have several of our members instructed in the use of the cannon so that we can use it at re-enactments, dedications and other important functions.
The doublewide trailer that is to be used for the Letcher County Military Museum has now been placed beside the caboose and the Whitesburg City Parking Lot on Railroad Street. Ben Taylor, who is overseeing the project, has asked for our help in transferring the museum’s artifacts from the current site to the new one. He has also asked us to help with the dedication of the new museum this year. He said that the local veterans would love to hear the echo of a cannon fired at this event. Please make every effort to attend this event.
Our camp was represented by several of our members at the re-enactment at Barbourville on the weekend of September 17th and 18th. Everyone seemed to enjoy the re-enactment greatly and was treated to the baptism of several re-enactors at the Sunday church services. Also several of our camp members participated in the re-enactment of the Battle of Leatherwood on the weekend of October 1st and 2nd. Though small, the battle was authentically portrayed and enjoyed by all participants. Unfortunately, Big Tree Adams was shot by a firing squad for bush whacking of which he naturally denied.
I have been in contact with Rhonda Robertson of the Wise County Historical Society. She said that she knows where the 11 soldiers of the 5th Kentucky Infantry were buried that died of measles and mumps. These soldiers died while being taken care of in a military hospital in Gladesville, now Wise. She said that they (and several other unknown Confederate soldiers) are buried in a neglected part of the old Wise Cemetery in town. None of the soldiers have a military tombstone. She also knows where the old military hospital was located. I contacted Faron with this information and he is going to see if we can obtain tombstones for these southern heroes. Faron said that he thinks the men that died at Moccasin Gap (at least 21 soldiers of the 5th Kentucky Infantry) were buried at Holston Springs, near Weber City. Rhonda Robertson is trying to collaborate the story.
Adjutant Brown
I have the honor of reporting the current camp financial balance is $1890.22 as of 10/19/05. Our expenditures have been $600 for the cannon & &100 for travel expenses to Richmond in order to earn $500. The deposit for the month totaled $555.00. Remember that the deadline for dues is November 1 in order to avoid a $5 late charge from headquarter. Remember for $20 your ancestor’s name is engraved in granite. If you have any suggestions regarding fundraisers or questions please contact me at 633-0881.
Secretary/Treasurer Taylor
One time a man wanted to get an early start on planting. So he got some dirt, some white cups and different seeds to be planted. He worked on them all day and put them in a flat box and placed them by the window to get sunlight. He was so proud of himself. In about a week the first sign of the plant started to come to life. This is the first time the man knew he had made a mistake. He had forgotten to mark the cups that the seeds were planted in stating what they were. But the man said, “I’ll be OK. I can tell the difference.” Then in about a month the man was looking at his plants. “Let’s see there is a tomato, can’t tell what kind, and here is a melon but Lord knows what it kind it is and here is a pepper plant but I am not sure if it is red, yellow or green. I guess I will plant them outside and see.” But still he could not tell what kind of fruit they would produce. Then came the ripening of the tomatoes, the melons and pepper plans. You could look at the melons and tell that they were red and yellow. But the pepper he could not tell the ones that was sweet and the ones that was hot. So he picked one and tasted it. He immediately knew that it was hot. He almost killed himself getting in the house for some water! It is the same in our lives. As a Christian need to be sure what kind of seed we have planted within us. At first we may all look the same but as we grow people can start to tell. As we ripen on the vine our fruit manifests itself for all to see. Galatians 6: 7-8 states, “Be not deceived; God is not a mocked; If or whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the spirit shall of the spirit reap life everlasting.” In Matthew 7:16 the Bible tells us that, “Ye shall know them by their fruits.” What will you be known as and what fruit will you bear?
Pary for Dixie. Chaplain Tabby Back
The Death of Stonewall Jackson
“Let us cross over the river and rest under the shade of the trees.” With these last words the Confederacy’s greatest chance of victory slipped into the ages. General Lee was so distraught and knew not only had he lost his right arm but also that he would be unable to replace him. In death he showed us how to live. In life he demonstrated what we had to do to be prepared to die. The following circumstantial account of the accident by which he met his death, and of his subsequent sufferings is from the Richmond Enquirer: It was published in the May 30th, 1863 edition of Harper’s Ferry.
“General Jackson, having gone some distance in front of the line of skirmishers on Saturday evening, was returning about 8 o'clock, attended by his staff and part of his couriers. The cavalcade was in the darkness of the night mistaken for a body of the enemy's cavalry, and fired upon by a regiment of his own corps. He was struck by three balls, one through the left arm, two inches below the shoulder joint, shattering the bone and severing the chief artery; another ball passed through the same arm between the elbow and wrist, making its exit through the palm of the hand; a third ball entered the palm of the right hand about its middle, passing through, and broke two bones. He was wounded on the Plank Road, about fifty yards in advance of the enemy. He fell from his horse, and was caught by Captain Wormley, to whom he remarked, " All my wounds are by my own men." He had given orders to fire at any thing coming up the road, before he left the lines. The enemy's skirmishers appeared ahead of him, and he turned to ride back, Just then some one cried out, "Cavalry, charge!" and immediately the regiment fired. The whole party broke forward to ride through our line to escape the fire. Captain Boswell was killed, and carried through the line by his horse, and fell among our own men. Colonel Couchfield, Chief of Staff, was wounded by his side. Two couriers were killed. Major Pendleton, Lieutenants Morrison and Smith, escaped uninjured. General Jackson was immediately placed on a litter and started for the rear. The firing attracted the attention of the enemy, and was resumed by both lines. One litter-bearer was shot down, and the General fell from the shoulders of the men, receiving a severe contusion, adding to the injury of the arm, and injuring his side severely.
The enemy's fire of artillery on this point was terrible. General Jackson was left for five minutes, until the fire slackened; then placed in an ambulance, and carried to the field hospital at Wilderness Run. He lost a large amount of blood, and at one time told Dr. M'Guire he thought he was dying, and would have bled to death, but a tourniquet was immediately applied. For two hours he was near pulseless from the shock. As he was being carried from the field, frequent inquiries were made by the soldiers, "Who have you there?" He told the Doctor, ''Do not tell the troops I am wounded."
After the reaction a consultation was held between Drs. Black, Coleman, Walls, and M'Guire, and amputation was decided upon. He was, asked, "If we find amputation necessary shall it be done at once?" He replied, "Yes, certainly, Dr. M'Guire do for me whatever you think is right." The operation was performed while he was under the influence of chloroform, and was borne well. He slept on Sunday morning, was cheerful, and was doing well. On Monday he was carried to Chancellor's house, near Guiney's depot. He was cheerful; talked about the battle, gallant bearing of General Rhodes, and said that his Major-General's commission ought to date from Saturday, the grand charge of his old Stonewall brigade, of which he had heard asked after all his officers; during the day talked more than usual, and said:: "Men who live through this war will be proud to say, 'I was one of the Stonewall brigade,' to their children." He insisted that the term Stonewall belonged to them, and not to him.
During the ride to Guiney's he complained greatly of heat, and besides wet applications to his wounds, begged that a wet cloth be applied to his stomach, which was done, greatly to his relief, as he expressed it. He slept well on Monday night, and ate with relish the next morning. On Tuesday his wounds were doing very well. He asked, "Can you tell me, from the appearance of my wounds, how long I will be kept from the field?"' He was greatly satisfied when told they were doing remarkably well. He did not complain of any pain in his side, and wanted to see the members of his staff, but was advised not. On Wednesday his wounds looked remarkably well. He expected to go to Richmond this day, but was prevented by rain. This night, while his surgeon, who had slept none for three nights, was asleep, he complained of nausea, and ordered his boy, Jim, to place a wet towel over his stomach. This was done. About daylight the surgeon was awakened by the boy saying, "The General is in great pain." The pain was in the right side; and due to incipient pneumonia and some nervousness, which he himself attributed to the fall from the litter. On Thursday Mrs. Jackson arrived, greatly to his joy and satisfaction, aid she faithfully nursed him to the end. By Thursday evening all pain had ceased. He suffered greatly from prostration. On Friday he suffered no pain, but prostration increased.
On Sunday morning, when it was apparent that he was rapidly sinking, Mrs. Jackson was informed of his condition. She then had free and full converse with him, and told him he was going to die. He said: "Very good; very good. It is all right." He had previously said: "I consider these wounds a blessing. They were given me for some good and wise purpose. I would not part with them if I could." He asked of Major Pendleton: "Who is preaching at head-quarters today?" He sent messages to all the Generals. He expressed a wish to be buried in Lexington, in the valley of Virginia. During delirium his mind reverted to the battle-field, and he sent orders to General A. P. Hill to prepare for action, and to Major Hawks, his Commissary, and to the surgeons. He frequently expressed to his aids his wish that Major-General Ewell should be ordered to command his corps. His confidence in General Ewell was very great, and the manner in which he spoke of him showed that he had duly considered the matter.” His last words need not be repeated for they are forever engraved in the hearts of all true Christians recalling the passing of one that followed his principles.
NEVER, EVER FORGET YOUR SOUTHERN HERITAGE OR LET ANYONE SMOTHER OUT THE MEMORIES OF OUR ANCESTORS!!
Deo Vindice
Trivia Questions
1. Who stated that his chief military strategy was “always mystify, mislead, and surprise the
enemy?
2. What spunky cavalryman said after being mortally wounded “I had rather die than be whipped?
3. What Kentucky general was offered a civil post after he lost a leg and an arm but refused?
4. What prompted Confederate General Simon B. Buckner to ask Kentuckians to “defend their
homes against the invasion of the North”?
5. What portly Kentucky general was described by Braxton Bragg as doing “some fine running and
no fighting”?
6. What statesman referred to West Point graduates who joined the Confederacy as men who
“proved false to the land which had pampered them”?
7. What Confederate general was hated by the vast majority of Kentucky troops?
8. What was the nickname given to the soldiers of the 5th Kentucky Infantry?
9. What Confederate “war criminal” last words, spoken to his executioner, were “I know what
orders are, I am being hung for obeying them”?
10. What Confederate colonel asked Richmond officials to begin an investigation of General John H.
Morgan for condoning an alleged bank robbery?
“Sayings of the South”
“The Confederate soldiers were our kinfolk and our heroes. We testify to the country our enduring fidelity to their memory. We commemorate their valor and devotion. There were some things that were not surrendered at Appomattox. We did not surrender our rights in history, nor was it one of the conditions of surrender that unfriendly lips should be suffered to tell The story of that war or that unfriendly hands should write the epitaphs of the Confederate dead. We have a right to teach our children the true history of that war, the causes that led up to it, and the principles involved." Tennessee Senator Edward W. Carmack, 1903
"You may be whatever you resolve to be" Stonewall Jackson
Saturday, February 21st, 1862
Camp at Pound Gap
Colonel Williams came in about 9 o’clock at night. His regiment, the 5th Kentucky Infantry, had returned from Shelby “Creek” on Osborne Gap beyond the Cumberland Mountains where he had gone to meet the enemy and dispute their passage into the “Old Dominion”. The Lincolonites didn’t come. They were disappointed. Colonel Williams said his men and horses were almost famishing from starvation. He had seen two of his horses drop dead in the wagon today. Provisions are entirely inaccessible, not a feed for man or horse, except what is transported from Gladesville (now Wise) over 16 miles of the worst roads in the United States. The Regiment will move immediately from the Pound Gap.
Answers:
1. Thomas Stonewall Jackson
2. JEB Stuart
3. John B. Hood, who replied “No bombproof place for me”.
4. The Kentucky Legislature’s order to expel all Confederate troops from the state.
5. Humphrey Marshall
6. Abraham Lincoln
7. Braxton Bragg
8. Ragmuffins
9. Henry Wirz
10. Colonel Henry Giltner
STONE TOTAL: 767 with 166 dedications!
(Baptism at Barbourville)
Minutes
September 15, 2005
Members Present
Manton Cornett, Chris Back, Danny Taylor, ,Lethan Whitaker, Jeremy Cook, , Richard Crowe, Kevin Wright, Willie Cornett, Wayne Watts, Raymond Isaacs, Big Tree Adams, Willis Strong, Willie Cornett,, Tabby Back, Tim Blair, Okie Blair, John P. Back, Richard Brown, Danny Wright, and David Chaltas
Opening Prayer-Chaplain Tabby Back
Welcome and Recognition of Guests-Commander Chaltas
Pledges/Charge – Chaltas
Ancestor Roll Call-All Members
Empty Chair-Commander Chaltas
Scripture Reading-Chaplain Tabby Back
August 2005 minutes accepted-motion made by Jon P. Back; 2nd-Wayne Watts
New Business
Presentation of Certificate of Membership to Richard Crowe-Lt. Commander Back
Commander’s Report-Chaltas
Lt. Commander Report-Jon P. Back
Adjutant Report-Richard Brown
Treasure Report-Danny Taylor
My Kepi and Me-Danny Taylor
Cont’d research on the Potter’s Field from the hospital in Whitesburg (UDC?)
Approval of a motion by John P. Back to give 30’ flagpole to Veteran’s Memorial Project. Seconded by Wayne Watts
Lee/Jackson Dinner date approved for Dec. 3, 2005 at Extension office (contingent upon obtaining the center). Motion made by John P. Back and 2nd by Willie Cornett
Motion brought to the floor by Commander Chaltas to make Lula Bates Honeycutt (real daughter of Captain Roger Bates) an honorary member. Unanimously approved.
Meeting time changed to 6:30 due to winter and change of time.
Open Floor
Ghost Roast will be held on Oct 29 at Fish Pond Lake-
5th Kentucky members will begin meeting once a month starting in September
Update on status of the UDC application
After discussion by Tabby Back-Recruitment Drive extended until Christmas Dinner-2nd Jon Back-Appd.
Adopt a Highway Cleanup approved for the month of October
Motion to incorporate and have 2 signatures on checks again discussed
Adjourned with closing prayer-Chaplain Tabby Back