Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1898-09-08
Sl.00 A YEAR.
NEW VOL. 33.--NO. 45.

glare of flashing musketry on all sides,
the incessant roll and rattle Of which
told that the battle nged.
The men of the Seventh were weary
with a long days lighting, and were
taking needed rest, preparatory to
charging in their turn the enemy,
whom they knew was concealed some
where in or beyond the ravine.
1t was at this moment that Sergeant
Bell performed this remarkable feat
feat than which no more daring act
was ever attempted in ancient or mod
ern warfare, and which, if it had been
performed under Napoleon seye, would
have won the gallant soldier instant
promotion and the grand cross of the
Legion Of Honor.
While the regiment was at fatigue
rest Sergeant Bell thought he would
reconnoiter, and, climbing over the
works, he moved stealthily across the
field and obliqued, so as to meet the
ravine at its head.
Here he beheld a sight which almost
paralyzed him. The ravine was full
of Federals, and he ran plump upon
them. To retreat would have been
dangerous; 1t was one man against
hundreds, and Captain Bell deter
mined in a moment to capture the reg
iment and take the colors with his own
hands. Boldness was safety in this IN.
stance, though few men would have
had the hardihood to think so. With
out a pause he dashed boldly forward,
firing his musket into the ranks Of the
enemy, crying: Surrender Throw
down your arms "
The Seventh Georgia heard the cries
and shots and sprang across the field
like bloodhounds slippedfrOm the leash,
but to late to rob the gallant soldier OF
the honor due him for his daring act,
for when the leading files Of the reg'
ment appeared they beheld three or
four hundred men marching toward
the works. Bell had captured thcm
sinple-handed and alone and taken
the colors of the Nineteenth Wisconsin
Regiment with his own hands.
The captured regiment was sent to
the rear amid great laughter, and Ser
geant Bell became the hero Of the hour.
Nor can it be said that the support
of his own regiment enabled him to
accomplish this unparalleled feat, for
it was the opinion Of many witnesses
of the scene that had the whole regi-
ment appeared, coming across the field,
they would have been saluted with a
volley and an obstinate fight would
have ensued, ending in the repulse OF
the attacking troops, but the sudden
apparition Of single, wild figure dart
ing out of the gloom, yelling and firing
into their midst, 30 Disconnected them
that they yielded to a genuine panic
and were prisoners almost before they
knew it.
For when Sergeant Bell dashed at
them at the head Of the rayine first
one man rose up and surrendered, then
another, and in less than two minutes
they were all prisoners and the colors
of the Nineteenth Wisconsin were in
Bells hands. The hero Of this Incl.
dent is a hale, handsome man, about
ffty-fve, with grizzled hair and mus
tache. He is as modest as he is brave,
and the story told here came from the
lips Of bis comrades who were with
him and who witnessed the remarkable
feat on that October day.
In 1894, in conversation with a
friend, Captain Bell expressed a great
desire to know the fate Of the gallant
color-bearer whom he had met on the
field of battle 50 long ago and whom
he had always regarded as brave, he
roic soldier.
The friend, without informing him
Of his intention, inserted in Wiscon-
sin paper little notice TO the effect
that the color-bearer Of the Nineteenth
Wisconsin Regiment, if still alive,
would please confer with James L.Bell,
Atlanta, Ga. The result Of the notice
was an interesting correspondence, IN
which the death Of John Fsller, the
color.bearer, was told of-Atlanta
Constitution.
/ @ ~--------
Ca.., Craorh pro1erf,a