My family are from Letcher County KY. I was born there but raised up North. I don't remember them talking about anyone named Bates or Caudill but they may have. I don't know anything about Letcher County's involvement in the CW. It's interesting that it was a stronghold of the Confederates. My mother often talked about the Regular Baptist Church she attended in Beef Hide, where she was born. I am related to the Potter's, Hall's, and Bentley's. This is the first time I have heard of anyone talking about Letcher Co. in relation to the Civil War. Thank You for the interesting post.