Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1869-03-13

short time after dark. He was on this
road all night, arriving at Canton just
before dsybreak.
1t may be well to mention here that
Bell afterward found that the old gentle
man from whom he had taken 30 uncere-
monius leave reused his neighbors, and
started again in pursuit; but hearing
from the inmates of the house on the
Jackson road that his escaped prisoner
had inquired the way to Jackson, they
followed in that direction until late
hour in the night, Of course without sue
cess
Bell sold his horse at Canton, and took
the cars for Pope's Station. Here be
saddled the horse which he had left there,
and short time took him to Pamela.
Chalmers had just returned from his
movement north of the Tallahatchie, and
had had slight engagement with Smith
on the line of the Coldwater He ex-
pressed some dissatisfaction at Bells
being absent contrary to promise, but
had evidently no suspicion that the ex-
cuse of the latter, that he had received
letter requiring his presence at jackson
on private business, was not the true rea-
son for his journey. Bell added that he
had message from jackson which he
desired to carry to friend across the
river at Sardis. Chalmers consented
that he should take this journey, but in
structed him to return within forty-eight
hours. Bell Immediately started for
Ssrdis.
T.. - ec D,rolo anna br,drau had
been burned by Chalmers, and Bell was
compelled to swim several sloughs of
great depth aud rapidity. He crossed
the river at Sardis, and in due time
reached the Coldwater, a distance Of
twenty-five miles from Pamela. At the
point where he was accustomed to cross
he found the stream full of fallen trees,
which had been placed there by Chal.
mers a few days previously. The water
was shallow, except in the very center.
There it was quite deep and swift Bells
horse houndered along safely until he
arrived in the main portion of the stream
and commenced to swim. Here he got
his forefeet entangled in the branches
that lay uHder the water. The horse gave
sudden plunge, and with violent exer-
ton of strength, breathing heavily, he dis
engaged himself from the tree. In the
struggle, however, the saddle-girth broke,
and Bell fell sideways with the saddle
into the water Making quick grasp,
he caught the horse by the tail, and hold
ing on was borne down the stream. For
some distance there was no chance to
make a landing, on account of the dense
growth of vines and bushes on the bank
but finally, when passing close to bluf,
he let go, and, swimming few rods,
caught a tree, and clambered upon the
bank. He walked down the side until
he saw the horse turn to the other shore
and walk out into the shallow part of the
stream, where be stood still, up to bis
knees in water. Bell divested himself
of his revolver and clothing, and
swan across until he could wade. He
took the horse by the bride without diff
Guilty, and swan again with him to the
north bank. Here be resumed his gar
ments and mounted bareback. He had
still thirty five miles to go to reach Mem
phis. He bought saddle at Hernando,
a distance of about ten miles from Cold
water, and proceeding on his journey,
feacneu tue Oul5hlTtS VI mchpuls auOut
midnight. Coming to the oak-tree where
his pass was secreted, he took it out, and
5y its help passed without question into
the city. He Immediately reported to
General Hurlbut, who commended him
highly for the promptnsss and complete
ness with which he had performed the
work which had been appointed him.
Chalmers attempted to pursue Grier-
son, but was not able to overtake him
Grierson's raid, by which it was intended
to break railroad connections in the rear
of Vicksburg, ascertain the strength of
the Confederates in the interior of Missis-
sippi, and divert the attention of and
annoy the enemy, was a complete sue
cess, and was one Of series of prepare
tions for the flank movement of Grant
by the way of Grand Gulf, which eul.
minated gloriously in the capture Of
Vicksburg.