James M. Bell

James M. Bell (October 1, 1837 – September 17, 1919) was a career officer in the United States Army. A Union Army veteran of the American Civil War, Bell went on to serve in the American Indian Wars, Spanish–American War, and Philippine–American War, and attained the rank of brigadier general.

A native of Williamsburg, Pennsylvania, Bell graduated from Wittenberg College in 1862 and enlisted in the Union Army. Commissioned as a first lieutenant in the 86th Ohio Infantry Regiment, he served with this regiment until June 1863, when he was promoted to captain as commander of the Independent Troop, Pennsylvania Cavalry, which he led until August, when he assumed command of a troop in the 13th Pennsylvania Cavalry Regiment, with which he served until the end of the war. Engagements in which Bell took part included the Battle of the Wilderness and the Second Battle of Ream's Station. He received brevet promotion to captain for heroism at the Wilderness, and major for Ream's Station.

In June 1866, Bell accepted a regular army commission as a second lieutenant in the 7th Cavalry Regiment. He served on the frontier during the American Indian Wars, and was promoted to first lieutenant (1867) and captain (1876). He took part in the 1868 Battle of the Washita River and the 1877 Battle of Canyon Creek. Following Canyon Creek, Bell received brevet promotion to lieutenant colonel. Bell served as an escort for the Northern Pacific Railway construction crew during the summers of 1880, 1881, and 1882, and was promoted to major in 1896.

Bell served in the Philippines during the Spanish–American War and Philippine–American War, receiving promotion to lieutenant colonel of the 13th Cavalry Regiment in 1898 and promotion to colonel as commander of the 27th Infantry Regiment in 1899. In 1900, Bell was promoted to brigadier general of United States Volunteers. He commanded an ad hoc brigade, Bell's Expeditionary Brigade, during operations in the Camarines Provinces, followed by command of the Third Military District of Southern Luzon. He was military governor of the Third Military District from April 1900 to March 1901.

Bell left the army upon reaching the mandatory retirement age of 64 in October 1901, and resided in New London, Connecticut and Hermosa Beach, California. He died in Hermosa Beach on September 17, 1919. Bell was buried at San Francisco National Cemetery.

Early life James Montgomery Bell was born in Williamsburg, Pennsylvania on October 1, 1837, a son of William B. Bell and Susan (Good) Bell. He was raised and educated in Logan Township, then attended Wittenberg College in Springfield, Ohio. He received his AB degree in 1862, and he later received an AM.

Early career After graduating from college, Bell joined the Union Army for the American Civil War by enlisting as a private in a company of the 86th Ohio Infantry Regiment. The company contained several of his Wittenberg classmates, and after serving from May to June, they elected him as their first lieutenant.

In March 1872, Bell married Emiline "Emilie" Mary Hone in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. A general court-martial was held in Saint Paul, Minnesota on May 8, 1877. During the Spanish–American War, Bell served in Cuba and took part in the Siege of Santiago.

In July 1899, Bell was promoted to colonel of United States Volunteers and assigned to command the 27th Infantry Regiment. He died in Hermosa Beach on September 17, 1919. He was buried at San Francisco National Cemetery.