Tyree Harris Bell

Tyree Harris Bell
Brig. Gen. Tyree H. Bell
Born	(1815-09-05)September 5, 1815 Covington, Kentucky
Died	August 30, 1902(1902-08-30) (aged 86) New Orleans, Louisiana
Buried	Bethel Cemetery, Sanger, California
Allegiance	Confederate States of America
Service/branch	Confederate States Army
Years of service	1861–1865
Rank	Brigadier General
Unit	12th Tennessee Infantry Regiment 3rd Bde, Forrest's Cavalry Corps Bell's Cavalry Brigade
Battles/wars	American Civil War
Other work	Farmer

Tyree H. Bell often referred to by his full name, Tyree Harris Bell, was a Confederate States Army brigadier general, during the American Civil War.

As lieutenant colonel Bell commanded the 12th Tennessee Volunteer Infantry Regiment and was severely wounded at the Battle of Shiloh. He led his regiment in the invasion of Kentucky and the Battle of Richmond.

Later Bell commanded a cavalry regiment and then a brigade under Major General Nathan Bedford Forrest. As one of Forrest's trusted lieutenants, he fought in several raids and battles during the last two years of the war. Bell's force successfully covered the Army of Tennessee's retreat after the Battle of Nashville, but Bell was again seriously wounded and lost his right eye.

After receiving consistent praise from his superior officers Bell was promoted to brigadier general on February 28, 1865. At the end of the war he participated in the Battle of Selma and ultimately surrendered with Forrest's command. Ten years after the Civil War, Bell moved from Tennessee to Fresno County, California and became a successful farmer.

Tyree H. Bell was born on September 5, 1815 in Covington, Kentucky. He grew up on his father's small plantation at Gallatin, Tennessee. He was educated in rural schools. Bell became a planter on his own plantation in Sumner County, Tennessee. Bell married Mary Ann Walton on December 2, 1841. Tyree and Mary Ann Bell had nine children.