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

Oeii, want you 10 ~ Oh hu eApeul
tion down on the Tallahatchie."
81 am ready to follow out your in
structions, General, at any time" replied
Bell
sin day or two," said Hurlbut
"Grierson will move from La Grange or
the road into the interior of Mississippi
taking course east of here and abou
| fifty miles to the east of Chalmers. He
will go as far as jackson, if possible, de
stroy the railroads, discover what forct
| the rebels have along his route, and an
noy them generally. To divert the at
| tention of Chalmers feom that move.
ment, | wish to send force out from here
under General Smith in the direction oi
Pamela. You must see Chalmers imme.
diately, and give him information that
this force is coming, and, if possible, ar.
range matters SO as to bring on an en-
gagement between here and there, so
that Grierson may get well on his way.
General Smiths column moves to-mor-
row morning, and you will have to sci
out tonight TO be in, advance of it. II
Chalmers comes this side of the Talla'
hatchie to engage it, | wish you to pro.
ceed Immediately to jackson, and, il
possible, intercept Grierson. on his line
of march. Tell him all you can learn
about the position and number of the
forces in the southern part of the State,
so that he may know where to strike, and
be able to avoid their strong points. AT
ter you have done this you may again re-
port to me. You must take good care OF
yourself, because Grierson's success will
depend much on the information you
give him."
There is no danger" said Bell, "oi
difficulty with Chalmers. / am too com
pletely in his confidence"
Bell was then furnished one thousaad
dollars in Confederate money, with which
to defray his expenses. He Immediately
had his horse brought to him, and started
on his journey late at night, carrying q
pass, which read as follows:
HEADQUARTERS, DISTRICT OF MEMPHIS.
Guards will pass Charles s. Bell
through the lines at all hours.
JAMES G. VEAroH, Brig. Gen.
After passing outside Of the pickets,
Bell hid this pass in q hollow oaktree.
1t was morning when he reached Her
nando, twenty-five miles south of Mem
phis, where be stopped at hotel. An
eager crowd gathered about him, to whom
be related that large force of Federal
infantry were starting from Memphis this
morning. After eating breakfast, and
having his horse cared for, Bell again set
out in company with two Of Chalmers
men who had been visiting their homes
in fernando. They reached Pamela the
same evening at sundown.
Bell rode without delay to the head
quarters, which were in large white
house at the east side of the town. He
found General Chalmers enjoying a short
doze. He woke up, turned his head and
inquired:
"What news"
"The Federals are coming down the
road in this direction" said Bell.
Memphis road ?" be asked.
"Yes," replied Bell. IL suppose they
will be on the line of the Coldwater by
morning"
what is their strength ?" be ex-
claimed, rising and sitting on the edge
of the bed.
"They number about twenty-five hun
dred men."
After cogitating a moment, the Gene
raj exclaimed:
"Pierson, call Captain Carroll"
Bell stepped out upon the portico,
where Carroll, who commanded Chal-
mers' escort, was reading, gave him the
message, and returBed with him to the
General.
Carroll" said Chalmers, 81 wish
you to issue marching orders to the brig
ade imne ediately. Direct the men to
cook tive days ratioDs, and be prepared
to march within an hour"
He turned to Bell and said, You must
De fatigued. You had better rest your
self aud get something to eat, aHd be
prepared TO 60 with US"
"If you have 40 objection, General, !"
Bell responded, II would prefer to re-
main here tonight, and join the column
on the march in the morning"
"All right" said General Chalmers,
"you can do so. "
Bell then took his supper, and after
seeing fifteen hundred cavalry cross the
Tallahatchie, went to bed and slept quite
soundly. In the morning, having no in
tention Of joining Chalmers, but desiring
10 proceed to Jackson as soon as possible,
SO as TO collect information for Grierson,
be went to the post commander, Lieut..
Taylor, and asked for pass 70 jackson.
remarking that he had received letter
which compelled aim to go there on some
private business. Lieutenant Taylor
knew him well, and gave him the pass
without question.
Bell then rode to Pope's station, seven
miles from Pamela, and leaving his horse
at q plantation near by, took the cars for
jackson, where be arrived the same eve
ming. He bought horse and remained
there Eve days, collecting the fullest de-
tails of the strength and position Of the
forces stationed along the lines Of the
different railroads running through Jack
son. On the evening Of the 23d Of April
the city became wild with the news, just
received, Of the approach of Grierson,
who was stated TO have struck point on
the Southern railroad shcn. forty miles
east Bell Immediately started in that
direction, and on the afternoon OF the
24th he had the pleasure Of knowing that
be was about TO intercept the force. DE
came upon them in the forest, and his
heart gave lear of delight AZ the strange