Year: 1869

-
greater risk Of his life by his awkward
ness than he had done on other occasions
by the most reckless daring. He con-
cluded that it would be Of no benefit to the
service for him to remain within range
of the riAe.shots, and he beat very hur-
ried retreat behind piece of rising
ground.


At five o'clock Bell again visited the
Generals headquarters, and found Cen
erel Mcpherson and General Logan
with him. he was standing under
tree near the door of his tent, smoking q
cigar.


"Gensral," said Bell, "if you will fur
nish me with horse, will 60 out on
another scout, observe what is going on,
and report to you again as soon as
possible"


General Grant calling an orderly, di-
rected him to give Bell horse which he
designated.


Bell was much elated to see q splendid
bay horse of fine action, and evidently
possessing considerable speed, brought
out for him. He also learned afterward
that the horse had been ridden some
times by the General himself. General
Grant also furnished him with one thou
sand dollars in Confederate money, and
directed note to be written for BIN to
General Sherman, providing for passing
him through the lines. he also let Bell
know that he had not forgotten the for
mer occasion when be reported to him
previous to the capture of Jackson.


"You will End Sherman" said Gene
raj Grant, ION the road to the Big
Black bridge, about two miles this side
OF the bridge. If Johnston is reinforced,
give me the earliest possible informa-
ton.


Bell left General Grant about an hour
before sundown, and rode directly toward
the headquarters of General Sherman,
which were about fourteen miles distant.
II was delightful night for riding, and
pleasant fancies we're running in his
head the cool, sweet night air was ex-
hilarating, the spirit of adventure was
strong within him, and he rode on very
rapidly, forgetting that the horsei though
moving swiftly and willingly, was liable
to be injured by so long and quick q
ride, through road tedious and hard for
travel on account Of the heavy dry dust
into which his hoofs sank deeply at every
step.


Being directed by staff officer, he
found General Sherman lying at full
length on "poncho" or rubber blanket,
uHder an oak tree, coatless and bootless,
and reading psper-covered book. His
coat was under his head for q pillow,
and fire was burning near, casting
bright light upon his face and upon his
book. There was no one near him. His
officers were at distance in their own
tents. Bell dismounted short distance
from him and walked up 10 him, leading
his horse. Sherman looked up, and
asked in his quick nervous way:


"Well, what do you want ?"


Bell made no reply, but handed him
the note from Grant.


$50 you are going outside of the
lines" said Sherman.


"Thst is my intention" replied Bell.


Are you the man who brought in the
information sent from General Sooy |
Smiths headquarters last night 2"


"Yes, sir"


You are going out to take another |
look at the enemy2 Well, you don't in
tend to 20 tonight, do your


at is better that should 90 through |
the pickets by night" said Bell, "be-
cause some scout might be lying about,
and grave suspicion would be excited if |
/ should be seen coming out of the Union
lines safely in broad daylight"


General Sherman then gave him pass
to Sooy Smiths headquarters, and sent
an orderly with him to direct him. They
rode very rapidly, reaching there about
eleven o'clock. Bell proceeded down
with another orderly toward the picket
lines. Hundreds of soldiers we're quietly
sleeping on both sides of the road, undis-
turbed by their passing The csmp-fres
had burned out, and only few dim en-
bers remained here and there to tell
where they had been.


As be rode, Bell began to observe indi- /
cations of heavy breathing on the part of
his horse, and after o while was much
chagrined and troubled to find that the
animal was afflicted with the "thumps,"
as the result of the too rapid and labo-
rious ride through the heavy dust from
Grants to Sherman's headquarters.
They still went forward, however, ana |
the orderly, coming to the picks.s, d,s-
mounted and gave the paas: VOID, while
Bell was permitted % 90 forth by hipself |
outside Of the lines of the army. |


The night was starlit and vieasant,
and the delightful odor Of the magnolia
hosted heavily in the sir, as be went on
alone, still in his Federal uniform,
through q arrange region and across the
ever-shifiing borders of the new Con-
feiersey.