Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1898-04-28

tary training again took its upper hand
the next day Mr.. Bell was bold marine
aboard a ship bound for Vera Cruz,
Mexico. (He did not return in time to
see his mother. She died of broken
heart The marines marched from
Vera Cruz up to Puebla, where Gen.
Scott lay with the L. S. army, Mr.. Bells
battalion being attached to Gen. Quit
mans division and Gen. Shield
brigade. Ten thousand strong the COM
bined forces pushed along to the city of
Mexico, fighting and skirmishing on the
way, conquering as they went. March
from Vera Cruz to city covered dis
tance of 275 miles.
Mr.. Bell took part in the memorable
battles of "Contreras," Churubusco," !"
and ''Siege of Chapultepec." In the
capture of the latter famous war-scarred
castle on the Chill of the Grasshopper," !"
the marines rendered plucky service
Clambering up the sides of this bold
projection of porphyry, rising perpen-
dicularly about two hundred feet above
the valley, they took the Mexican gun
ners unawares and victory WAS con-
plete at 10 o'clock a. m. The West
Point of Mexico, the national military
school and pride of the whole nation
made it's bow to Yankee colors; Mr..
Bell helped to make them do it.
In February, 1897, the writer visited
this commanding eminence in Mexico,
now used as President Daz' summer
palace, and at the foot of the hill looked
upon a beautiful memorial to the young
cadets who fell in battle at the storming
of Chapultepec. Mexican students
make the anniversary of that battle a
memorial day and the president places
a wreath on the monument. We walked
up the winding north road which leads
to the big steel gates, by the same path
over which Mr.. Bell fought, but unlike
our worthy patriot, ours was an easier
task to reach the top.
In April, 1S4S, Mr.. Bell marched
back to Vera Cruz guarding train of
silver for p wealthy mine owner. He
had seen thirteen months active service
folk, Va. and received discharge at
Marine Barracks, Washington, d. c.,
on Aug. 5, 1913.
In 1S49 he came to Wisconsin and
went to farming in the town of Almond !,
Portage county. Was married in 1858
TO Elizabeth Miller at Plover, and was
happy and contented until 1861 when
the south rebelled. At the battle of
Bulls Run, July 1921, where our men
were defeated, Mr.. Bell got mad and
was anxious to hasten back to the pro-
tection of the old flag that lie loved.
Mrs. Bell objected and he did not like
TO leave without her consent. At last
she submitted to persuasion and on the
9th of Feb, 1864, her husband enlisted
for a third time in Co. D., Thirty-slxth
regiment Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry
for three years or during the war. The
Thirty y-sixth regiment was drilled two
months at Camp Randall, Madison. On
the 10th of May, 1864, they moved to
Washington and the next day left there
for Virginia. Joined the Second corps,
Gen. Hancock commanding First bri-
gade, Second division of the Potomac
army fighting at Spottsylvania. From
there he went to North Anna, Totopot-
omy, Bethesda Church, Cold Harbor,
Petersburg, Deep Bottom. Ream's Sta
ton and Boydton Road. Three officers
aud lo2 enlisted men died in prison of
disease or by accident. and seven Off
GERS and $50 men were killed in action
or died of their wounds, making total
loss of 342 men for the IL months SER
vice in this campaign. The Thirty-tifth
started from Madison with 1,014 men
but the subject of this sketch was one
of those destined to survive hardship,
shot and shell. He was wounded while
charging on Petersburg. Va, the 18th of
June, '64. A minie-ball lodged in his
left thigh with an itching thud and he
WAS taken to City Point in a hard-tack
wagon over rough roads, suffering ter
rlnle pain. He lay on the ground ten
days at City P,int after the bullet had
been probed from his leg The doctors
put tins bullet into Mr.. Bells pocket
and today it hangs on the wall at his
home beside Old Glory, the two hal
lowed mementos of deeds that are done.
He was confined in Lincoln hospital,
Washington, for a time, and when
strong enough to march went back 10
| his regiment.
When General Lee retreated from
Peters burg, Mr.. Bell was in the corps
at Lees rear and William participated
in skirmishes almost every day. Gen
eral Lee was finally surrounded.
Young men, you who might vet be
called upon to give your services and
your life if need be for America and
| humanity versus Spain, do you believe
there is no glory in war for the true
soldier, no personal satisfaction in suc-
cessful battle that can doubly atone and
reward for all the danger of the con-
fiict? Then go to our honored soldier
friend and let him tell you how proud
he was, how proud every man in that
federal force felt when the great Lee
surrendered his forces to the here OF
Appomatox on April 9, 1861
Mr.. Bell marched back through Rich
mond and on to Washington. taking
part in the grand review of troops a,
the capitol city in May. Then he went
to Parkersburg, W. Va, from there to
Jeffersonville, Ind, receiving his dis.
charge after remaining six weeks in the
latter place. Again he returned to
Grand Rapids, to family and home-the
rest is story of tranquility and quiet
marred only by the death of wife and
lifemate.
Mark Where his carnage and his conquest:
| ceasel
He makes solitude and calls it-peace.
A citizen as true and honorable as he
was soldier brave and dutiful-here is
to Private Marine William Bell, may
his days be yet as many as his friends
here are numerous.