Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1869-04-06
Adventures, Perlis and Escapes
OF @. 3. BELL,
The Union Scout of the Mississippi

The Union Scout of the Mississippi
BY GEORGE wAKEMAs.-So. VIII.
From the New York Ledger.]
1t was about the middle OF May wher
Bell, having recovered from the Hines,
resulting from his long walk, left Mem
phis and rode to Pamela. Finding that
Chalmers was still in camp at Abbeville
he proceeded to that place and reported
to him, he supposing that Bell had re!
mained until this time at Pamela. Chsl
mers sent him Immediately to West Ten
nessee with dispatches, commanding
several scattered guerrilla companies o.
Richardson's old command, which was
now disintegrated, to join Chalmers
army. One of the officers to whom Bel
delivered dispatches was Colonel Billy
Faulkner, known as Kentucky Faulk-
ner," who was afterwards killed at the
battle of Pontotoc. On his return, Bell
remained with Chalmers until the 20th
of June, making in the meantime three
visits to the Union lines, and reporting
the contem plated movements of Chal
mers to General Hurlbut, at Memphis
Acting on this information, Hurlbut was
enabled to dispose his troops SO as to de-
feat the movements of Chalmers, to re-
tain an unbroken connection between
Memphis and Corinth, aud prevent the
rebels from drawing supplies from West
Tennessee.
About this time Chalmers granted Bell
permission to 60 to Canton. The scout
had previously arranged with Hurlbut
that he would, if possible, 60 through
the lines again to Grant. Hurlbut prom.
ised to write to Grant, lest the latter, in
the hurry of his movements, might have
forgotten him. On arriving at the Con-
federate forces in the vicinity, he went
to Johnston's headquarters, showed his
papers, and proposed to 20 through
Grants lines and obtain information
which woulu be of value to him. After
considerable conversation, during which
Johnston scrutinized Bel closely through
his eve glasses, be finally called his adju
tant, Colonel Ewell, and said;
"Giye Lieutenant Pierson a pass to
the headquarters of Brigadier Genera
jackson, commander of cavalry, aud give
him also O note to General Jackson, re
questing that he be furnished with q pass
through the lines on scout"
Bell found the horse which he had left
on livery in Canton more than month
previous, in safe keeping, and set out
with him on the Vioksburg road. The
day was het, and the air was filed with
dust raised by passing cavalry and in
faniry. Arriving at Vernon, which was
- oC he
hundred inhabitants, built on a sligh,
eminence, he took dinner at the house Of
a widow lady at the outskirts Of the place,
and then rode to the headquarters Of
General jackson, commanding the cav
airy.
The General was lying at full length on
a bench 10 the shade of the house where
he had his quarters, and another officer
lay also at full length on bench at the
opposi.e side Of the door. Several horses
OF orderlies were tied under the shade
trees in the yard. jackson was a large,
heavy man, with red hair, red gostee,
and . very red face. He wore an over
shirt Of orange silk, gray pants, and high
top boots with large brass spura
he was indulgng in lazy sneoze as
Bell came up and handed him the letter
from General johnson. BE read it with
out rising, and called out:
"Hallo, halo, Moormanf
No one responded, and he again ex-
claimed:
"Hallo, Norman
A voice from within the house re-
sponded;