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

Spain blown head over heels like
tumblers on a stage" "Ohw continued
Mr.. Bell, ''if were only young l would
be there now"
After some persuasion, for Mr.. Bell
modestly refused to give us his war
record at first request, we succeeded in
getting the following data which will
certainly prove Of interest to all those
who enjoy the acquaintance of this
genial old gentleman.
William Bell was born in Borehead,
Scotland seven miles from Glasgow, in
the year 1925, and came. to America
with his parents at the age of I3 Years.
They settled at Fall River, Mass.
Mr.. Bells first enlistment was made
at Providence, r. l., on the 2lst day OF
February, 1S42, with Lieut.. MCGruder,
| for five years in the United States army.
He went with his company.from Provi-
dence to Governors Island, New York
harbor, thence took ship and sailed
down into the Gulf of Mexico and up
the Mississippi river, landing at Fort
Jackson below New Orleans. In round
| ing the straits Of Florida to enter the
ouIi, NIC'il u'ICl NCsSGl pstSSttl tIOEC ~
the Jagged rocks Of MORO Castle, that
dusEy old fortress whose structure
hangs in the balance today with the
great guns of our North Atlantic Squad
ron levelrd upon 1t ready to belch forth
| death and destruction when orders are
given. The boat stopped before proud
! Moro and three officers went ashore
on peaceful mission, but being without
passports they were taken prisoners.
For two days the Americans lay at
anchor attempting to secure release OF
their men. They finally had to steam
onward, forced to leave the officers
behind. Mr.. Bell remembers MORO
Castle well, its grim, powerful outlines
of solid rock fresh in memory's eye,
leaving an impression that the formid-
able fortitcation might endure forever
against every foe.
From Fort jackson Mr.. Bell and
comrades were taken to Jefferson
Barracks, below st. Louis, and later uI
to Fort Smelling, now between st. Pau
and Minneapolis, Mimi, but then II
Wisconsin Territory. Recruits were
left at Fort Crawford and Prairie DIT
Chien on the way up. Fort Crawford
ular Infantry. Four companies were
stationed there, three at Fort Winnie.
bago and three at Smelling At the
latter place Mr.. Bell was assigned tc
Co. H, First [. S. Regular Infantry
under Capt. Plumer, 1st Lieut.. Granger
2nd Lieut.. Denman, with Major Dear
born commanding the Post. He
remained at Fort Smelling until the
Mexican war, when, on the l4th day o
February, 1S47, he was ordered tc
Mexica. Down the Mississippi river
Uncle Samuefs bluecoats marched over
the ice and through snow eighteen
inches deep. Occasionally a private
would get ride on an Indian pony OF
for a few miles on the packing sleds
but most of the time they had The
health giving privilege of walking. A
night they encamped on the banks o
the river, chopped down large mapl,
trees and made fires full length of tht
camp. Rations for day were sixtee1
ounces of pork, a few ounces of coffe,
and one pint of flour. Their blackboard
was stump and the bakeoven used b,
. frugal supper finished, brush would b,
, cut and placed upon the snow. blanket
next to brush and then the soldie
] turned in to enjoy the dreams of tin
weary, his knapsack for pillow ant
his musket for a partner. At Prairi
7 du CHEN rest of two days was taken
then onward they tramped to Dubuque
: Iowa, across the river into Illinois
through Galena to the Illinois river.
While on the march-Feb. 21, 1917
William Bells five year term of servic
expired. Captain Plumer urged him t
re-enlist and 60 en- to Mexico.
But the valorous and faithful privat
heard his mothers anxious call to se
him back in Fall River, Mass; he say
her patiently waiting for the return o
her soldier boy and thus did love fo
5 parent surmount love for country. A
,, Jefferson Barracks, Mo-; he received
honorable discharge, and with tearfu
eyes babe goodbye 10 his comrades O
: the last five years, and turned home
! ward.
!. Reaching New York, Mr.. Bell met al
old comrade who had just enlisted il
!, the Z. S. Marines for the Mexican wal
The marines urged him to join thei
forces, said the war would be short ant