http://www.bencaudill.com

It is my sad duty to report the loss of a real daughter. Ms. Lola Bates Honeycutt, the daughter of Captain Robert Bates died on September 4, 2006. She was one hundred years old, having been born on March 28, 1906. She was the wife of the late Roosevelt Honeycutt. He was born on February 15, 1903. Roosevelt was the son of Grant and Mary Ann Stamper Honeycutt. They had five sons and two daughters: Larry (Pauline), Grant (Joy), Glenn (Gladys), Jack, the late Sammy Honeycutt, Jessie (Kenneth R) Collins and the late Pauline Jackson. She had fifteen grandchildren and eighteen great grandchildren. All thirteen of her brothers and sisters had previously passed to a better world. The Nelson Frazier Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements. Our condolences go out to the family. A letter of resolution has been issued along with flowers to honor Ms. Lola.

Upcoming events: Hazard’s annual Christmas Parade will be held on November 25, 2006. We have been invited to participate. A Public Relation video on the upcoming Battle of Leatherwood reenactment will be shown on the school channel starting in October. During the upcoming division meeting, Dr. Hiter will discuss his restructuring of the Division into seven brigades. The Caudill Camp would fall under the Cumberland Brigade, consisting of Bell, Breathitt, Clay, Harlan, Jackson, Knott, Knox, Laurel, Lee, Leslie, Letcher, Owsley, Perry, Pike and Whitley Counties. Lt. Commander Back will be attending this important meeting. If you have any comments and/or concerns, talk to him so that your voice will be heard. The reenactment of Barbourville is on September 16-17 at the historic McNeils Crossing. Next weekend will be the Morristown event. A living history is being offered in Bristol on October 14^th at the new library. With Sacred Principles to Maintain, I remain your obedient servant, The Old General…Laus Deo

I will start this months report off with sad news. Real daughter Lola Bates Honeycutt has passed away this month and on Monday morning, Mark Barger passed through the threshold. Flowers have been sent on behalf of the Colonel Ben Caudill Camp. We extend our condolences to both families. In lighter news Adjutant Brown tells me that several Unknown Soldier markers have been cut for placement in the Confederate Hospital Cemetery. We must begin planning a dedication there for the future. Confederate Kin books are available for sale. I sure all will be pleased as it is indeed an excellent first offering by the budding authors of the Col. Ben Caudill Camp as well as many others who contributed their works. Confederate Kin II is currently in the works and I would urge any who have a story to tell to contribute. Last but not least, many members of the camp involved with reenacting (members of the 5th KY, Co. F) were at Tazewell and Barbourville. Tazewell is a new event but shows much promise, as it affords the reenactor the rare opportunity to camp and reenact on the original battlefield. Barbourville as usual was well attended by both spectators and reenactors. The event was well organized and planned by Capt. Ray Adkins and his staff our hats off to them. Deo Vindice 

The Colonel Ben E. Caudill Camp No. 1629 is still the largest SCV camp in the state of Kentucky with 97 members. It is now time for us to renew our membership and the cost will be $30. Please remind our fellow camp members of the renewal. The camp’s new book, Confederate Kin, is now available. The cost for each book will be $20. All profit generated from the sell of the book will go to the camp. If anyone needs help writing a story about their ancestor for Confederate Kin (Volume II), let me know and I will be glad to assist you. Appalachian Monument has engraved thirteen marble stones for us to use at the Unknown Soldier Monument in the Sandlick Cemetery. Each stone has the words "Unknown Soldier" and a southern cross on them. On Sunday, September 3, Jim Freeman and Chas Gayheart sat on the bench in front of the monument to do a segment on Letcher County during a Mountain Life program on Channel 57. You could see the monument plainly during the show. They also had a trivia question about Colonel Logan Salyers during the show. Buford Caudill and I visited the cemetery at which time he confirmed the location of the graves. He believes we have found the "lost cemetery" of soldiers that died in Whitesburg. Just in the area of the monument he found 21 additional graves, all in three columns, three feet apart.

The Living History at Jenkins went very good. We set up a tent and chairs to place handouts about the camp on. Willis and Manton Ray brought the cannon and fired it to start the parade. When the camp members approached the viewing stand during the parade, they fired the cannon once more. Several people took handouts and thanked us for coming. The camp was well represented at the Battle of Saltville and the Battle of Barbourville re-enactments. Several members attended both with the camp’s cannon making her first appearance in a battle at Saltville. She also returned and belched flame at Barbourville. To everybody’s delight, our cannon crew fought against a William’s gun that had been captured by the Yankees and turned on the Confederates that were trying to take the bridge at Barboursville. For several of us, it was the first time for seeing one of these unique cannons, and hopefully not the last. Caudill’s Army fought alongside the William’s guns in several battles during the War Between the States. At that time the artillery unit was known as Schoolfield’s Battery.

The Battle of Perryville is a National Event this year and will be held on the weekend of October 7 and 8. The Battle of Wildcat is a very popular re-enactment amongst our camp members and will be held on the weekend of October 14 and 15. Last but not least will be the Battle of Leatherwood on the weekend of October 28 and 29. Please help make this event back into the one that we enjoyed starting several years ago. If you can’t re-enact in it, at least attend one of the days, just your presence helps the camp. Adjutant Brown

Men of the Ben Caudill Camp! It is hard to believe that a month has slipped by already! Where did summer go? It will be winter before we know it. But fall is here and I love this time of year. Cold mornings with warm days, as God shows off the spectrum of colors that awes men. I know winter is around the corner. I can only think of how the boys in gray hated to see winter come. Oh, it was bad enough in the summer heat but a lot harder in during those long winter months. I know by now they was working on some kind of cabins and foraging for food that they might be able to salt it down and store up with their potatoes, apples and turnips But if it was a very cold winter their food supplies would not last long. To think some didn’t have shoes, blankets, or coats breaks my heart. Their poor horses were in need of hay and it was almost impossible to keep powder dry. Most of the men were thinking about their families. Would they have enough to make it though the winter? Did the Yankees come in, take their food, burn down their houses or were they killed just because of what we was fighting for. We must not forget their sacrifices. We must not forget their hardships. We must never forget those men-our grandfathers, our uncles, and our kin: our blood. Chaplain Tabby 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/daughter occupying the seat of honor. This month let us stand and offer a silent tribute to our real daughter, Ms. Lola Bates Honeycutt. Ms. Lola was born on March 28, 1906. She was the daughter of Captain Robert and Elizabeth Bentley Bates. Elizabeth Bentley Bates was the daughter of Lieutenant Aaron Rice and Darcus Hall Bates (1844-1918). Their union resulted in four children. Aaron Rice Bentley was born in 1836 to Solomon and Mary Bentley. His brothers were Barrett and Benjamin Bentley. Both brothers served in the Confederate army with their younger brother, Aaron (Barrett had also served in Diamond’s 10^th KY Cavalry, Company E). Aaron Rice reportedly was six foot tall and had dark hair. He enlisted in the 13^th KY on October 18, 1862. Aaron Rice Bentley had served in the 5^th KY ‘Orphan Brigade’, Company F and was elected Lieutenant in Company H of the 13^th Kentucky Cavalry. Union Home Guards wounded him (allegedly the notorious Clabe Jones) during a skirmish up Mason’s Creek in Perry County, Kentucky. The date was April 14, 1863. He recovered in time to be captured on July 7, 1863 in Gladesville, VA, and was taken to Camp Chase on July 20, 1863. He was then taken to Johnson’s Island on October 10, 1863. He took the oath on May 12, 1865, having been imprisoned the duration of the war.

Captain Robert Bates was the son of John W. Bates and Sarah Waltrip. He was born on August 24, 1825. He was a brother to Private James Bates, Sgt. Jesse Bates, Uriah Bates and Private Martin Van Buren Bates. He married Elizabeth Bentley Bates (photo to the reader’s right). Captain Bates enlisted on November 5, 1861, into the Confederate Army. He was in the 5^th KY of the famed Orphan Brigade. He was at the Battle of Middle Creek. He served as a Captain in the 7^th Confederate Cavalry, Company A. He died on September 24, 1921. Ms. Lola was fifteen years old and remembered several stories about her father. During visits (she did not like interviews), she revealed some information that was previously unknown and her knowledge assisted in the gathering of more data for the camp archives. Ms. Lola enjoyed gardening, cooking and her grandchildren. She was a big prankster and enjoyed a good laugh. She disliked ‘republicans and publicity.’ She was a very independent lady. She stated that she peddled eggs from her home in Knott County, Kentucky across the mountain to Neon, Kentucky (over 10 miles one way). She recalled with much affection a time when she was five days old that her daddy took a picture of her prior to his trip out west to look at a ranch he thought of purchasing. She treasured that picture of her being held by her father. She told stories of her father walking to Mt. Sterling driving cattle and geese to the auction sales. They would stop and camp, broiling meat over an open fire. The distance from their home to Mt. Sterling was at least 120 miles! Another story she shared with affection was of her brother Beckham Bates (Beckham Bates Elementary is named after him) being paid two dollars a day for hoeing, in the ‘lead row’ and that she refused to work unless she got the same amount of pay that her brother was receiving! She was the mother of seven and at the time of her passing had fifteen grandchildren and eighteen great grandchildren. She had 13 brothers and sisters that preceded her passing. They were Bobby, Hennie, Jess, Sam, Tandy Uriah, Joe, Ralph Booten, Beckham, Amanda Bates Calhoun, Minerva Bates Holbrook, Cleo Bates Baker, and Eliza Bates Collins. She will be missed by all but the circle is now unbroken. A letter of resolution has been sent to the family. Ladies and Gentlemen let us tip our kepis and offer our up a prayer for the family, as we honor one of our own; for Lola Bates Honeycutt, a real daughter has gone home:

1. What was the name of the regiment that many men from southeastern Kentucky and southwestern Virginia joined and was commanded by Colonel Clarence Prentice?
2. Name two of the four sister regiments that Caudill’s Army fought alongside of the most.
3. Name one of the two commanding officers of the 64^th Virginia Mounted Infantry.
4. What was the name of the battery that used the William’s gun that saved the day for Caudill’s Army during the battles in southeastern Tennessee?
5. Who’s famous grave did Caudill’s Army visit while returning from Winchester, Virginia in 1864?
6. What Confederate general ordered the September 1861 invasion of Kentucky?
7. What braggart Union general had his personal belongings captured right under his nose by General J.E.B. Stuart?
8. What general’s approval was necessary before the Confederacy would accept the notion of openly enlisting blacks in the army?
9. Who was the last surviving Confederate general?

10. What popular colonel that was a favorite amongst the men of Caudill’s Army was promoted to general but did not receive the promotion due to the war ending?

"Who knows but it may be given to us, after this life, to meet again in the old quarters, to play chess and draughts, to get up soon to answer the morning roll call, to fall in at the tap of the drum for drill and dress parade, and again to hastily don our war gear while the monotonous patter of the long roll summons to battle?" "Who knows but again the old flags, ragged and torn, snapping in the wind, may face each other and flutter, pursuing and pursued, while the cries of victory fill a summer day?" And after the battle, then the slain and wounded will arise, and all will meet together under the two flags, all sound and well, and there will be talking and laughter and cheers, and all will say: Did it not seem real? Was it not as in the old days?"

"We cannot afford to be idle, and though weaker than our opponents in men and military Equipments, must endeavor to harass, if we cannot destroy them." Robert E. Lee to Jefferson Davis, 9/03/62

"It is all over now. Many of us are prisoners, many are dead, many wounded, bleeding and dying. Your soldier lives and mourns and but for you, my darling, he would rather be back there with his dead, to sleep for all time in an unknown grave." Major General George Pickett, CSA, to his fiancée, 7/04/63

"Thus ended the great American Civil War, which upon the whole must be considered the noblest and least avoidable of all the great mass conflicts of which till then there was record." Churchill,

Guerrant’s Diary-Bluegrass Confederate

Sorrowful Retreat out of Kentucky after Perryville

Saturday, October 25, 1862

Dark, Dreary, Dismal day. Oh how cold, how desolate! This morning we left for Virginia, the rear guard of the Army of Eastern Kentucky. Our march was more like a funeral procession than anything else. It was the funeral march of dead hopes, and joys and expectations.–the natural dreariness of the day was only increased by our own melancholy reflections. Giltner’s regiment of cavalry and the remains of the 5^th Kentucky Infantry and Mynheir’s and Ficklin’s corps accompanied us. We passed the Burning Spring and followed Licking almost to its source and crossed over onto Middle Creek, retracing the very road we came, now apparently twice as long as before. We passed the battlefield about night and turned up the other fork of Middle Creek and camped in the night!!! Awful!

1. The 7^th Confederate Cavalry.
2. The 4^th Kentucky Cavalry, 10^th Kentucky Cavalry, 64^th Virginia Mounted Infantry and 7^th

Confederate Cavalry.

3. Colonel Campbell Slemp and Colonel Auburn Pridemore.
4. Schoolfield’s Battery.
5. General Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson’s at Lexington, Virginia.
6. General Leonidas Polk. The invasion was unauthorized, as Kentucky was still considered neutral.
7. General John Pope, whom was said to have been totally embarassed.
8. General Robert E. Lee.
9. General Felix Robertson who fought alongside Caudill’s Army at the Battle of Saltville.
10. Colonel Henry L. Giltner

Colonel Ben Caudill Camp #1629

Box 1102

Whitesburg, Kentucky 41826

Gentlemen, I have the honor of submitting the following financial report for your review.

Statement Balance from 7/20/06 to 8/17/06

Deposits 8/18/06-375.00 9/06/06-158.00 9/07/06-330.00= $863.00 Last month’s Balance $397.41

Scholarship Fund $1000.00

Total $2,260.41

7/28/06 Ck #1036 David Chaltas (25 books-C. Kin) 227.00

General Fund Balance $423.92

Members Present: Richard Brown, Roger Hall, Leathan Whitaker, Tabby Back, Joseph K. Cantrell, Carlos Brock, Wayne Watts, Willis Strong, Garland Kiser, Manton R. Cornett, David A. Lucas, Sam D. Hatcher, John P. Back, Danny Wright, Jason Adams, Raymond Isaacs, Timothy Blair, David Wesley Lucas, Oki Blair, David Chaltas, Dewayne Blair

The August meeting was held at Letcher County Central High School. Carlos Brock called the meeting to order. Wayne Watts led the Pledge of Allegiance. John Back led the salute to the Confederate Flag. Richard Brown read the minutes of July 20, Okie Blair made motion to accept, Carlos Brock seconded it, motion passed. Tabby Back read scriptures and asked for prayer request. John Back gave opening prayer. Commander Chaltas thanked Sam Hatcher for visiting the camp and asked members of the camp to give Danny Taylor a call to cheer him up from his hip surgery. Richard Brown took up dues. Commander Chaltas informed the camp of a dedication of Stonewall Jackson’s grave on January 13, 2007, at Lexington, Virginia then showed a film on Stonewall Jackson. David Chaltas gave the Commander’s report. John P. Back gave the Lieutenant Commander’s report. Richard Brown gave adjutant Report. Richard Brown reported on the City of Wise re-enactment that is planned for July 6 and 7 of 2007. Rhonda Robertson of Wise County asked the camp to support the event. After discussion, Commander Chaltas made motion to help with the event, Roger Hall seconded, motion passed. The Battle of Saltville re-enactment was discussed, several members going. Commander Chaltas and John Back discussed the LMU project, they want us to help with re-enactment; we will study it. Roger Hall discussed the Jenkins Day living history proposal. Richard will bring tent, table and camp information. Meet behind Hardee’s at 10:00 A.M., will march in parade. Camp explored an idea about a bench with Caudill Camp on it for the new high school. Money will have to be raised (about $450). Carlos announced that 811 stones had been set with 18 stones on the ground to be set. Carlos also asked for help finding Steve Collier. Sam Hatcher talked about the Reunion at New Orleans. Chris Sullivan elected Commander in Chief and Ron Casteel elected Lieutenant Commander. Lost Cause paper won award for best newsletter. Commander Hiter will be at Elizabethtown for a Leadership meeting. Eastern Kentucky will be divided into two divisions, Cumberland and Big Sandy. Someone needs to find out how far you would have to run electric line from amphitheater to monument at Pound Gap for Willis Strong. We have two hundred-two dedications under our belt with the goal being 250 by January 2007. Raymond Isaacs brought story about real daughter of Captain Robert Bates, Lola Bates Honeycutt. Willis Strong announced that he could get skirmish powder for about $9 a pound. $24 raised from auction at end of meeting. John Back closed with prayer

September 20, 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-25 copies for sale-Final Revisions in by OCT 1, 2006 prior to ISBN

Trash pickup date-Richard Brown

Veterans Museum discussed and Dedication

Dedication of Whitesburg Cemetery discussed

Agenda for 9/21 developed

$100 from Barbourville Reenactment Committee-recommend goes for cannon supplies

Website Discussed

Dues/Recruitment Drive Begins

Wise County Event for 2007-Historical Society Reps will be present

LMU-Danny Taylor

Certificates-to be given out at Annual Dinner

Resolution for Lola Bates Honeycutt and Mark Barger

Honorary Membership of Joe Skeens and Mickey Goble

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

RECRUITMENT DRIVE BEGINS

• Wise County Reenactment Presentation
• Events Committee-Kenny Cantrell-FN-Jenkins
• LMU-Danny Taylor
• Bench at LCCHS-Chaltas
• Confederate Kin-revision-Final
• Stone Reports-823 set with 202 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