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

sight Of 90 many boys in blue riding into
the heart of the Confederacy. AS he ap-
preached the column he was taken in
charge as a prisoner by some of the
soldiers. In response to his request to
see the officer in command, he was in
| formed that he was in advance. At that
moment an officer dashed up, who, Bell
afterward learned, was Colonel Black
burn, of the 7th Illinois cavalry, the
second in command of Grierson's s
column. Bell Immediately requested to
have o moments private conversation
! with him.
Certainly" said Colonel Blackburn.
He then relned his horse to one side,
and ordering the column to continue on
its way, dismounled.
~ am scout" said Bell, 'in General
Hurlbut's employ, and was sent here to
obtain information to be communicated
to you"
| Blackburn, that you are what you rep
resent yourself to be-"
"The fact that / come to you volun-
tarily, aud propose to give you the intor-
nation / have obtained"
Bell then at considerable length de-
tailed to Colonel Blackburn facts con-
cerning the disposition of the forces in
this vicinity and to the south, which
would be of the greatest service. He
| informed him that there was one brigade
| in Jackson, and that the weakest place
at which to strike the railroad would be
at Summit or Brookhaven, as the Con-
federates supposed that he intended to
strike above Jackson, and that there was
no cavalry force of Importance on the
| line of the jackson and New Orleans
road to oppose him. After hurried, yet
minute inquiries, and after delivering a
message for Huribut, Blackburn rode on
to overtake his column, and Bell turned
his horse in the direction of Jackson.
It was the last time Bell ever saw the
gallant Colonel He was shot three
days afterwards, while gallantly leading
charge upon q bridge which was
guarded by force of the enemy. The
charge was successful, but Blackburn
fell mortally wounded, and day or two
afterwards died at house near by.
Bell was riding on his way toward
Jackson, intending to dispose of his horse
there, and take the cars to Pamela, when
he heard the sound of horses hoofs
behind, and on looking around he saw an
old gentleman on "claybank," Ia horse
of yellowish color, of Mexican stock,
quite common in the Southwest,) y riding
toward him at rapid gallop, and armed
with double-barreled shotgun. When
close by the side of Bell be reined up,
canght his breath, aimed his gun at Bell,
and cried out, exciiedly:
Surrender, you Yankee You sur
render, or I'll shoot y
He was a man about sixty years OF
age, d ressed in homespuD, and with long
white hair hanging on his neck.
"Yo old lunatic," Bell answered, 1
am no more Yankee than you are. l
am a Co ufederste officer attached to Gen.
Chslmers' staff"
"Youl Yesl What did you 60 down
the road for when the Yankees passed Z
Surrender II
II was down there to observe their
movements" said Bell.
"Yes; aud | was down there TO OBJ
serve yours sl'' said he. Surrender, or
I'll frel Drop that pistol, and come
back with me
Bell heard the old gentleman with
much more amusement than fear, but as
it wes evident that he was very much in
earnest and would FIRE on the slightest
provocatiou, Bell dropped his pistol and
turned his horses head.
The old man, still keeping his gun
bearing on Bell, got off his horse and
picked up the pistol, and, again mount
ing, started, with Bell beside him, back
in the direction from which they had
come. Bell showed his pass and papers,
but these made no effect on the venerable
patriot.
AZ will take you down to Fsrguson's
camp" said he, with much satisfaction,
"and you will be hung as Yankee
spy"
Bell knew that on arriving at Fergu-
sons camp he would be released as soon
as bis papers were examined, but 1t was
forty miles below-at Kosciusko-and ss
he was anxious to report to General
Hurlbut, be concluded that it would be
hest to release himself. While the old
gentleman was talking in a garrulous
sstrain. Bell suddenly rushed at him,
seized the muzzle of his gun asd endeav-
ored to wrest it from him. He clung to
il tightly, but his horse giving a spring
he tumbled into the road, and Bell re-
tanned the gun. The horse ran into the
woods.
"Turn about is fair play, my friend,
said Bell, $50 / will trouble you for that
pistol"
Don't shoot me, Mister" cried the
old nan, remaining on his hands and
knees, and looking up piteously. Il am
mighty old, and thought il was my duty
to capture you if could"
al have no desire to harm you" re-
piled the scout, and l can assure you
that am O rebel officer; but am on
important business, and / cannot be de-
tanned. Hand me that pistol"
The old gentleman did as directed, and
Bell left him and rode rapidly on. The
country was sparsely settled, and the
plantations were considerable distance
apart, but be came 10 house at the dis
tauce of about a mile. Here he made
detailed inquiries ss to the way to Jack
son, though be knew il perfectly well;
but after riding about a miie further be
turned abruptly to the right, and, cross.
ing the country, struck the Canton road