September 2003 Issue

The last Salute

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

What a busy time of the year! Congratulations to all those that participated in the dedication of the Letcher County Coal Miners’ Memorial pictured below.

It has been a goldmine in public relations. Also I wish to thank those that gave of their time on Sunday, September 1, to dedicate 6 graves located by the Dixon Memorial Church. The soldiers honored were Isham "Funny Ike" Caudill, Henry "Tush" Caudill, William B. "Cowmouth" Caudill, John W. Caudill, Isom Caudill, and Davis Fields. The play on Isom Day was hilarious and Danny Taylor, Wayne Whitaker, Tim Breeding, Richard Smith (author and producer of the play) and Dave Chaltas represented the camp well. To date we have been involved with presenting our camp skit regarding a 13^th Kentucky Cavalry man walking back to his company after a battle due to his horse being shot. The skit was presented to Arlie Boggs Elementary, Kingdom Come and Martha Jane Potter. Richard Smith, the author of the story (based on actual events of that era) performs with Danny Taylor (a poor farmer that invites Rich to come in and sit a spell). The old general sets the scene with a brief overview of the importance of Kentucky during the Second American Revolution. We have presented to several organizations this month including the Hazard City of Commissioners. We were will received. The old general won their hearts. To date the Letcher County JROTC, City Police and Fire Department have committed to be involved in the Battle of Whitesburg on September 21, starting at 9:00 roll call.

The dedication of Colonel Sayler’s gravesite will be at 1:00 on the day of the Battle of Whitesburg. We have placed posters and flyers of the events in the paper. A retention seminar was held on September 13^th at Corbin with Skip Earl. Currently we have set 587 stones, held 122 dedications, and have located over 648 13^th Kentucky soldiers’ gravesites!

(The Old General)

The Leatherwood Committee met at the Leatherwood Fire Department to discuss issues regarding the reenactment. Flyers have been created and posted within the Hazard and Whitesburg area along with a billboard at the Pizza Hut in Hazard. Line items discussed included the agenda/schedule, Float for Black Gold and the Blue Gray Shoot Out, Soldiers’ Ball, worship service, public execution, skits, crafts/sutlers, black smith and working camp. A suggestion of having a genealogy booth was approved. Tree Huggin John has posted the Battle of Leatherwood.

My Kepi & Me

The Chaplain’s Corner

(Brigade Chaplain)

This month I am asking you to think somewhat differently. Let us not think of what all our glorious God has given us but rather on what He has taken away. I know it is wonderful as the spirit is uplifted when everything seems to be going just the way you planned and how hard it is to think of the things that were taken from you but I submit to you that they are the greatest of God’s gifts. Think of what He took away on the cross with only 3 decades, 3 days and 3 nails. Think of the guilt, think of the shame, and think of the burden of sin that was taken off your shoulders and were placed firmly on His as the weight of the cross. Think as our ancestors did about the blood that was shed so that our sins would be taken away and we could live in eternal truth and love. Think this month, as we go out representing our ancestors long since past, that the sting and finality of death was taken away and life was given in its place by a man of 3 decades, 3 days and 3 nails.

Talking with the General

(Dave Chaltas)

The Colonel Ben Caudill Camp was well represented at Saltville and Barbourville. The old general took command of the troops and has been asked to lead them at Wartrace and Wildcat! Let us rally around the flag and show that our camp is by far the best in the land!

This is a great chance to get our feet wet and learn from the veterans! September 13 was great and the Battle of Chavies was fun. The scenario was that a group of "those people" are gathered at the old Eversole cabin listening to music. Confederates surprise them and after "sustained fire" Major Eversole is mortally wounded. We had around 30 reenactors participate and to them we owe a rebel yell. The L.A.S (Ladies Auxiliary Society) were well represented as well and were as lovely as ever. The dedication at the Red Clay Cemetery went well also. Ten representatives of the camp dedicated four heroes of the south including George Washington Noble whose letters and writings saved many aspects of our heritage. Black Gold Parade will be on September 20^th and we have a float! Anyone wishing to assist please let me know. If we don’t work it, those other people will dominate the float and we want to be represented in the truest light possible. The Gray/Blue Shoot Out will be held immediately after the parade. There will be a large crowd to witness this event. Also, we need to honor the passing of one of our own on the 20^th. Kenny Cantrell will have a service for his brother’s ashes at 1:00. We must honor him with our military tribute and place his picture upon our wall of remembrance. We have been asked to participate in the annual Hills and Hollows hosted by Southeast Community College. On the 27^th of September, the Dedication of the Unknown Soldier at Breaks Interstate is being planned in conjunction with the Civil War Days held at that location. The tentative date is Sept. 27 at 1:00. This will occur in conjunction with the Civil War Days held at the Breaks. All camps are invited to participate in the dedication to the Unknown Soldier and the families that have been the keeper of his gravesite for all these years. The month of October offers the Battle of Leatherwood on the 11-12 (living history/educational day will be on the 10^th). Please remember Wildcat and that we are duty bound to send representatives to that reenactment. Then the season finale of Perryville! I am very excited about our possibilities and growing potential. I think of your efforts and endeavors and I am in awe of the men that so gallantly serve the cause of preservation and heritage.

With honor, I remain your obedient servant,

The Old General

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 Cavalry!

"Tucker" Hibbitts

James Dewey Griffith

Paul Miles

David Chaltas

6/26/03

Armed with a cross and Bible

For a war he deplored,

He knew he was liable

To work the fields no more.

He heard a higher calling

To work among the fields.

And even in the mauling

He went to reap the yields.

Some bodies torn asunder

Some crying with such pain.

Among the men he wondered

As shells fell down like rain.

He fixed them with a prayer;

A promise to go home.

But when their sightless eyes stared

He felt so all alone.

He prayed to the Almighty

To please let his boys in

He clang to his cross tightly

And walked with dying men.

They were all wretched creators!

Their fate was all but sealed.

Had their not been a preacher;

A worker of the fields.

Worker of the Fields

Oh those unheralded heroes! Imagine facing the enemies’ fire without A weapon whatsoever other than your faith in God. Our brave chaplains carried nothing but the cross and Bible into battle but in reality they wore the armor that could not be penetrated by the creations of man. They were ready to lay down their lives in order to offer a last chance of true freedom to the boys that were wounded and dying. They also served the men by being their conscious and offered prayer daily (sometimes several times a day) and provided services on Sunday. Reading the letters of Dabney, Jones, Pendleton and other chaplains during the War Between to Nations one can only sit back in awe of the faith of the men who served and fought. Yet they were willing to do such acts of war in the name of God. To God it must seem a paradox in thinking and He must have closed His eyes to the choices that man makes in his simplicity.

(Down by 3 from last meeting)

Tim Blair, Okie Blair, David Chaltas, Danny Taylor, David A. Lucas, Mark Carroll, Ken Cantrell, Cody Adams, Dale Wright, Danny Wright, Richard Brown, Steve Richardson, William Whitaker, Randy Adams, Matt Chandler, John P. Back, Carlos Brock, William Whitaker, Darren Holbrook, Jerry Wells

Meeting called to order-Sgt. of Arms Brock

Prayer-Chaplain Back

Pledges led by Lt. Commander Chaltas

Charge-John Back

Minutes read-Lt. Commander Chaltas

Motion to accept-Tim Blair; Second-Kenny Cantrell-approved

Lt. Commander Chaltas reviewed the Newsletter.

David A. Lucas recognized by My Kepi and Me series

Lt. Commander Chaltas discussed the upcoming events, including the Unknown Confederate marker at Breaks Interstate Park and that a Civil War Camp would be held on Sept. 27-28 at that location. The Battle of Leatherwood was discussed. Black Gold Float and the Blue Gray Shootout, Soldiers’ Ball, and the Battle of Whitesburg were also discussed. The Isom Day Play was mentioned and we will have representation from the camp. The upcoming dedications at the Dixon Memorial Church were discussed and plans were made to dedicate the 6 gravesites on September 1, 2003. Camp Hope will be held on Oct. 3-6 for grieving children at Camp Nathaniel and approval was given to assist in any manner. Adjutant Brown gave an update on the Hunley Honor Guard. The date has been moved to December tentatively. Practice date for shooting team set for every Thursday at 6:00-contact Richard Smith. The idea of building a cannon was introduced by Richard Smith. Put to a motion and by Jason Adams and second by David Lucas. The camp website was discussed by the Webmaster, Mark Carroll and all recognized his contributions to our cause.

Adjourned by Prayer-Chaplain Back

Colonel Ben Caudill Camp #1629

September 2003

Call meeting to order-Sgt of Arms Brock

Pledge/Confederate Flag-Commander Sparkman

The Charge

Reading/Approval of Minutes

Guests

Reading of Newsletter

New Business

(Open floor)

Camp Concerns

Battle of Whitesburg rehearsal will be Sat. starting at 6:00 on the Soccer Field

Setting up encampment will be at 5:00

Fund Raisers-Auction/Yard Sale/Tshirts/license plates/

Recruiting (76 paid dues)

Setting up Camp Sutler Tent-supplies

Adjourn via Prayer

Raffle/Drawings*

STONE STORIES-Commander Sparkman