Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1869-04-06

"Have you had any supper2' said
General Smith.
"No; and l am remarkably hungry"
responded Bell.
The headquarters cook was called in,
and directed to bring something to eat;
and Bell then made out report of such
information as he could furnish, which
was forwarded to General Sherman.
While they were talking, tall, fine look.
ing officer entered, whom General Smith
introduced as Major General Parke, then
commanding the Ninth Army Corps.
After supper, though it was quite late,
Bell determined to push on to the head
quarters of General Grant, about fifteen
miles distant. General Smith furnished
him with horse, and sent an orderly
with him.
The road was dark, with tall timber
overshadewing it, though the stars shone
overhead; and the night was very silent,
even the horses hoofs settling into the
deep dry dust without sound. They
passed the camps Of troops continually,
the white and quiet tents relieving the
monotony of the way. Two or three
times they were stopped by pickets, but
when the orderly showed his pass they
were speedily allowed to continue on.
The day had been warm, and the night
was balmy, but pleasantly cool, and the
heavy perfume of the magnolia, which
abounds in this region, was continual
delight and exhilaration to the senses.
They heard the constant booming OF
cannon aud explosion of mortsrs, grow
ing more and more distinct as they rode
on, and whenever they passed over high
ground, the red fash and glare against
the sky could be seen for many miles.
The firing was from the army in the
trenches, and the mortar feet in the
river, besieging Vicksburg.
At four o'clock in the morning Bell
and his companion arrived at General
Grants headquarters, which were sit.
uated about q mile within the line of
works surrounding the besieged city. No
one was awake except the sentry, who
was passing along the ridge in front of
the tents of the General and his staff.
There was steep ravine on each side OF
the ridge, and the tents we're pitched on
the comb or edge Of the hill, at its further
extremity. Bell said to the sentry:
81 wish to see General Grant"
HE is asleep" said the sentry;
"can't you wait till Daylight p
"My business is quite important" re-
piled Bell, "aud think it will be better
for me 10 see him Immediately"
The corporal of the guard was called,
to whom the same statement was made.
"Then follow me" said he.
He proceeded to a small wall tent COW
cred by "fy." The fall, which an
swered for the door, was thrown back,
and the corporal entered. There Was no
light in the tent, but dim fire was burn
ing near the entrance outside. General
Grant was sleeping on camp cot, and
when the corporal shook him, imme.
diately wakened, sat up, and inquired:
"What is wanted p
1t was too dark in the tent to distin-
guish features. and Bell said:
General, / have just come in from
Johnston's lines, and have brought i'm
portant information. / should first ask
YOU whether you have received letter
from General Hurlbut, saying that a scout
would come through Jehnston's lines and
report to your"
"Yes, 1 have received such letter.
Are you the man Z" :.
II am" replied Bell. was directed
by General Hurlbut to give the word
Rife Ranger upon reporting to you"
THAT is correct" said General Grant.
he then commenced questioning Bell
as to Johnston's strength and probable
"I estimated Johnston,s force" said
Bell, "at twenty-five thousand men, with
an immense preponderance of artillery.
At least, I saw large number OF artillery
officers
81 do not think his artillery is as
strong as you imagine" said Grant.
" Many of those officers whom you saw,
probably escaped from the battle of
Champion Hills, leaving their guns with
me-"
Bell could not see the Generals face
iistir city, but there was q suspicion OF
amusement in this answer. The conver-
sation lasted for ten or fifteen minutes
longer, when Grant said to the corporal:
"See that Bells horse is fed, and show
him place where he can lie down and
rest until morning"
Turning to Bell, he said:
"I want you to make out report in |
writing in the morning. l have received |
IN outline of it from General Sherman |
BY telegraph. but should like to have it |
in detail"
Bell lay down on some bales Of hay |
near the Generals tent There was q
continual succession of reports from the
artillery; aud nearer at hand, the sharp |
crack of the skirmishers' rifles was heard
throughout the night. These, however,
did not disturb Bell, who, being very |
much fatigued, immediately vent to
sleep, and rested soundly until sunrise.
When the officers had risen, he went
10 the tent Of the Provost Marshal, and
made out G minute statement Of the reg
iments, battalions, and independent CON-
panies of Johnston's command, ,givisE the
sffective strength Of each corps, including
infantry, artillery, and cavalry.
In the Afternoon, wishing 70 see the
progress of the siege, be vent down on
he lines, and while leisurely wandering
about be suddenly heard several balls
Ehistling in close proximity to him, and
found that be had exposed himself to the