FRANCIS BELL – 2nd VETERAN CAVALRYDIED BEFORE LAST CHILD WAS BORN - Francis Bell was the son of François Bell and Pélagie Lafetière. François Bell had Anglicized his name from Lebel to Bell even before he was married in 1821 in St. Philippe, Quebec. He and his family crossed into New York after Francis was born in 1837.In 1859, young Francis married Marie Martin and married her again on December 4, 1865, in Chateaugay. They had 7 children – 3 born before he enlisted - William Henry Bell 1859, Mary Bell 1860, Philomene Bell 1862 – and 4 after he returned - Nancy Bell 1864, Benjamin Bell 1866, Julia Marie Bell 1869, Francis Bell 1871.There are 2 Muster Roll Abstracts for Francis Bell and two records for him in the 1865 NY Adjutant Generals Rosters – one for Chateaugay and one for Chautauqua – both are for him. Chateaugay is the correct enlistment place, the other is a clerical error. In the 2nd Cavalry Roster, it says there was no further record after his mustering in on December 30, 1863. In the 2nd Veteran Cavalry Roster, it says he mustered in on December 30th, and served until he was mustered out in Talladega, AL, on November 8, 1865.In December 1863, Francis left home in Ellenburg Center and went up and over the hill into Chateaugay to enlist. He went into the 2nd Veteran Cavalry that was recruited between October and December of that year. The regiment, also known as the Empire Light Cavalry, went to Washington for a few months, then to join the Department of the Gulf and the Red River Campaign in February. You can read more about the Red River Campaign at: http://www.civilwartraveler.com/TRANS/LA/RedRiver.htmlThe regiment stayed in the south for the rest of the war – Louisiana, Florida, Mississippi and Alabama. In 1864, they had 40+ engagements. After the 1864/65 winter quarters they had 8 battles and skirmishes in Florida and Alabama, 2 after the official end of the war on April 2, but before General Johnston’s Second Surrender on April 26, 1865.Talladega was hit 2 weeks after General Lee's surrender at Appomattox, when Union General Croxton led the last of Wilson's Raiders into Talladega, burning buildings and pillaging stores. A local judge saved the town from total destruction by approaching General Croxton with a Masonic sign and pleading mercy for the remainder of the community. Croxton died in 1864 in Bolivia where President Grant had sent him to be the ambassador.When Francis mustered out, he returned to farming in Ellenburg Center. He moved to Chateaugay with his family just before he died. He died in on February 3, 1871, and was buried in St. Patrick’s Cemetery in Chateaugay. His son, Francis, was born 6 months after his death on July 14, 1871.
