James M. Bell (Medal of Honor)
Encyclopedia
James Joseph Bell was a United States Army
soldier received the Medal of Honor
during the Indian Wars. His name is sometimes incorrectly given as James M. Bell.
in preparation to launching against the Lakota and Northern Cheyenne who had refused to come in to the reservations. The company arrived at Fort Ellis
near Bozeman where other troops were gathering. In April, the column departed, heading east along the Yellowstone River
and finally meeting up with General Alfred Terry
's column in early June. After Lieutenant Colonel George Custer's column broke off heading up the Rosebud, the Terry-Gibbon column marched up the Yellowstone and then turned up the Rosebud River. They arrived at the tragic scene of the Battle of the Little Bighorn
two days after Custer and his men had lost their lives.
On July 9, 1876, General Terry called for volunteers to carry a message to General George Crook
about the Custer disaster and to offering to coordinate their columns against the hostile Indians. To accomplish this dangerous mission through hostile country, three privates from Captain Clifford's company volunteered to carry the message: Bell, William Evans
, and Benjamin F. Stewart. It took the soldiers three days to make their way to General Crook's camp near present-day Sheridan, Wyoming
. For their bravery, all three soldiers were awarded the Medal of Honor on December 2, 1876. The citation reads "Carried dispatches to Gen. Crook at the imminent risk of his life."
who later obtained the rank of Major General
or with Sergeant James B. Bell of the 11th Ohio Infantry
, who was awarded his medal during the Civil War
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
soldier received the Medal of Honor
Medal of Honor
The Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration awarded by the United States government. It is bestowed by the President, in the name of Congress, upon members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguish themselves through "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his or her...
during the Indian Wars. His name is sometimes incorrectly given as James M. Bell.
Early years
James Joseph , an Ulster-Scot,was born in County Antrim, Ireland in June 1845 (his gravestone says July 1, 1845). He came to the U.S. in 1866, working initially as a laborer. On July 9, 1870, he enlisted in the U.S. Army and was assigned to Company E Seventh Infantry. He reenlisted five years later.The Great Sioux War of 1876-77
In March 1876, Company E Seventh Infantry, commanded by Captain Walter Clifford, departed their station at Camp Baker, Montana, to join General John GibbonJohn Gibbon
John Gibbon was a career United States Army officer who fought in the American Civil War and the Indian Wars.-Early life:...
in preparation to launching against the Lakota and Northern Cheyenne who had refused to come in to the reservations. The company arrived at Fort Ellis
Fort Ellis
Fort Ellis was an early United States Army outpost established August 27, 1867 to the eastern side of present-day Bozeman, Montana. The fort was established to protect and support settlers moving into the Gallatin Valley. The post was named for Civil War Colonel Augustus van Horne Ellis who was...
near Bozeman where other troops were gathering. In April, the column departed, heading east along the Yellowstone River
Yellowstone River
The Yellowstone River is a tributary of the Missouri River, approximately long, in the western United States. Considered the principal tributary of the upper Missouri, the river and its tributaries drain a wide area stretching from the Rocky Mountains in the vicinity of the Yellowstone National...
and finally meeting up with General Alfred Terry
Alfred Terry
Alfred Howe Terry was a Union general in the American Civil War and the military commander of the Dakota Territory from 1866 to 1869 and again from 1872 to 1886.-Early life and career:...
's column in early June. After Lieutenant Colonel George Custer's column broke off heading up the Rosebud, the Terry-Gibbon column marched up the Yellowstone and then turned up the Rosebud River. They arrived at the tragic scene of the Battle of the Little Bighorn
Battle of the Little Bighorn
The Battle of the Little Bighorn, also known as Custer's Last Stand and, by the Indians involved, as the Battle of the Greasy Grass, was an armed engagement between combined forces of Lakota, Northern Cheyenne and Arapaho people against the 7th Cavalry Regiment of the United States Army...
two days after Custer and his men had lost their lives.
On July 9, 1876, General Terry called for volunteers to carry a message to General George Crook
George Crook
George R. Crook was a career United States Army officer, most noted for his distinguished service during the American Civil War and the Indian Wars.-Early life:...
about the Custer disaster and to offering to coordinate their columns against the hostile Indians. To accomplish this dangerous mission through hostile country, three privates from Captain Clifford's company volunteered to carry the message: Bell, William Evans
William Evans (Medal of Honor)
William Evans was an Irish-born soldier in the U.S. Army who served with the 7th U.S. Infantry during the Black Hills War. He participated in campaigns against the Sioux in the Montana Territory and, at Big Horn from July 9–14, 1876, volunteered to deliver critical dispatches between Generals...
, and Benjamin F. Stewart. It took the soldiers three days to make their way to General Crook's camp near present-day Sheridan, Wyoming
Sheridan, Wyoming
Sheridan is a city in Sheridan County, Wyoming, United States. The 2010 census put the population at 17,444 and a Micropolitan Statistical Area of 29,116...
. For their bravery, all three soldiers were awarded the Medal of Honor on December 2, 1876. The citation reads "Carried dispatches to Gen. Crook at the imminent risk of his life."
Later life
Private Bell was promoted to sergeant and spent the remainder of his professional life in the Army, serving eight enlistments in all. He was married in 1888 and had one son, born at Fort Logan in 1897. Bell returned to Chicago where he died on July 1, 1901. He was buried in the Mount Olivet Cemetery in Chicago.See also
- List of Medal of Honor recipients
- List of Medal of Honor recipients for the Indian Wars
Note
Private Bell should not to be confused with two-time Medal of Honor recipient James Franklin BellJ. Franklin Bell
James Franklin Bell was Chief of Staff of the United States Army from 1906 to 1910.Bell was a major-general in the Regular United States Army, commanding the Department of the East, with headquarters at Governors Island, New York at the time of his death in 1919...
who later obtained the rank of Major General
Major general (United States)
In the United States Army, United States Marine Corps, and United States Air Force, major general is a two-star general-officer rank, with the pay grade of O-8. Major general ranks above brigadier general and below lieutenant general...
or with Sergeant James B. Bell of the 11th Ohio Infantry
11th Ohio Infantry
The 11th Ohio Volunteer Infantry was an infantry regiment in the Union Army during the American Civil War.-Three-months regiment:...
, who was awarded his medal during the Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...