Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1869-04-10


A candle was lighted, and Ball, sitting
down at camp desk in the tent adjoin-
ing that Of the General, prepared hasty
report.
When the General looked it over, he
said:
Il wish you to go TO General Sher-
mans headquarters. This information
is very important, and he might wish to
question you upon some other points.
IL is about two miles distant, and Twill
furnish you with horse and send an or
derly with you.
The horse was soon brought, and Bell
vaulted Into the saddle, and, accompa-
MED by the orderly, spurred on with all
haste. They found Sherman's tent in
grove of trees, with the tents of his staff
grouped about it. Bell had an imme-
diate interview with the General, and
answered his questions as fully as he de-
sired. Hasteuing back to Parke's head
quarters, he was furnshad with q pass,
and proceeded again to the picket line.
Here he mounted his own horse, and
rode off again at rapid pace in the di-
rection OF Canton.
The following letter, written subse-
quently by General Psrke, refers to this
and other instances in which Bell COM
municated with him.
HEADQUARTERS 9rH Army CoRPs,
October 18th, le6i. J
Lieut.. Gen. Grant, commanding army U. S.:
GENERAL: The bearer, Mr.. c. S. Bell,
came into my lines thrice during the
Vicksburg-Jsckson campaign, bringing
what | considered most reliable informa-
ton of the positive strength and position
of Joe Johnston's army. | deem him a
most intelligent, prudent and reliable
scout, and one in whom we might place
implicit confidence.
Very resp'y, your ob't serv't,
JOHN G. PARKE, Major General.
Bell had q ride of over thirty miles be-
fore him, but he knew the road we'll, and
if he was intercepted by Confederate
scouts he hoped to be able to escape from
them by the excellent speed of his horse.
The night was clear and pleasant, and he
rode on easily and swiftly.
He reached Canton just in the gray
dawn of the morning. He rode rapidly
through the principal avenue, past the
court house aud square with it's green
sward and shade trees. 1t was very
beautiful town, embowered in trees, with
many foe houses surrounded by shrub
berry and fiowers. There was scarcely
any one in the streets, though the quick
clatter of his horses hoofs at that early
hour made those who were out turn about
and look at him with interest. One man
called out to him
"The Yankees comingT
mo" said Bell; 81 am bearing dis.
patches, and am in hurry"
Passing out of Canton, he came into |
an undulating country with mingled tim
ber-lsnd and plantations. He saw the |
sun rise and move slowly up the sky |
before be arrived at the house where bis |
travelling companion was to await him. |
As be approached it, be saw Captain
Farr standing on the portico and looking |
out for him with ill-concealed imps-
tience.
II thought you were not coming at
all" said Farr. =" didn't know but some
Yankee scouting party had picked you
up"
NO." said Bell; it took me longer
than expected"
You seem to have ridden pretty rap
idly" said Farr, looking at Bells horse.
Yes, saw l was late, and didn't
want to keep you waiting"
ave must hurry on, said Farr, be
cause it will be too hot to ride in the
middle of the day."
They started out, Bell having had no
sleep or food since the evening previous.
The plantations along the road were
nearly all deserted by their occupants,
and almost all of them had orchards full
of ripe and delicious peaches. About
eleven o'clock Bell and Captain Farr
tied their horses in a patch of woods
bordering on a plantation, and climbing
the fence, entered the peach orchard and
supplied themselves plentifully with the
fruit. At their next stopping
place they took dinner, aud at night they
remained at a plantation about thirty
Eve miles above Canton.
The next forenoon Farr reached the
house of his friend, where he was to
spend his furlough, sHd Bell, bidding
him a kindly farewell, rode on alone.
The startling incident which occurred to
him as he rode will be narrated in the
next number.