Hagerstown in Washington County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Hagerstonians In The Civil War
Brevet Brigadier General George Bell, USA
1828 - 1907
Photographed By Mike Stroud, 2011
1. Hagerstonians In The Civil War Marker
George Bell was the son of William Duffield Bell, developer of South Prospect Street and editor of the Hagerstown
Torchlight newspaper. He grew up in this neighborhood. An 1853 graduate of West Point, Bell served at several posts
in Texas and the east coast, including Fort McHenry. His accomplishments include:1861 - Courier for General-Chief Winfield Scott, carrying secret dispatches to Texas. He was then assigned to the field artillery, but soon was transferred to the Commissary Department.
1861 - As a lieutenant and commissary officer, he arranged to provide food for General McDowell's army during the First Manassas Campaign.
1861 - 1865 - Stationed at the Annapolis, Alexandria and Washington DC depots as the regional commissary officer. Arranged for the purchase, preparation and distribution of the food necessary to daily feed tens of thousands of soldiers and prisoners of war held in the region. Promoted several times. [Picture included]
1865 - Breveted (honorary) promotion to brigadier general for meritorious service.
1892 - Retired with rank
this page online
Fascinating Fact
As an example of how the Civil War was a war of "brother against brother", George's brother Henry C. Bell served as a private in the 1st Maryland Cavalry Battalion in the Confederate Army.
Erected by Maryland Heritage Area.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. A significant historical year for this entry is 1853.
Location. 39° 38.636′ N, 77° 43.467′ W. Marker is in Hagerstown, Maryland, in Washington County. Marker is on West Washington Street (U.S. 40) near South Prospect Street, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Hagerstown MD 21740, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Treatment of the Wounded (here, next to this marker); Hagerstonians in the Civil War (within shouting distance of this marker); Mount Prospect (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Hagerstonians In The Civil War (within shouting distance of this marker); The Cumberland Valley Railroad (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); a different marker also named Hagerstonians in the Civil War
The Marker
2. Hagerstonians In The Civil War (Picture at left)
U.S. Army Military Institute,
District of Columbia MOLLUS Collection
Library of Congress
3. Hagerstonians In The Civil War Marker, pictures at right side
Photographed By Mike Stroud, July 17, 2011
4. Hagerstonians In The Civil War Marker,(R), seen along West Washington Street (U.S. 40)
Photographed By Mike Stroud, July 17, 2011
5. Hagerstonians In The Civil War Marker, looking eastward along West Washington Street (U.S. 40)
Photographed By Allen C. Browne, August 22, 2017
6. George Bell's Headstone - Rose Hill Cemetery
Brigadier General U.S. Army
Son of William D. and Susan H. Bell
Born at Hagerstown, MD. March 12, 1828
Died at Washington, D.C. Jan. 2, 1907
Credits. This page was last revised on August 25, 2017. It was originally submitted on July 21, 2011, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 681 times since then and 23 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on July 21, 2011, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. 6. submitted on August 24, 2017, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland.
