General Tyree H. Bell, Camp 1804 - Fresno

Tyree Harris Bell was born on September 5, 1815, in Covington, Kentucky. He grew up on his family's Tennessee plantation and, when war broke out between the states, became an ardent supporter of the Confederate cause. In early 1861, Bell recruited a company for the 12th Tennessee Infantry and was elected captain of the company. He soon advanced to become lieutenant colonel of the 12th Tennessee, and led his troops at the Battles of Belmont (Missouri) and Shiloh, then took part in the Battle of Richmond (Kentucky). Transferred to cavalry command, he participated in the Battles of Perryville and Stone's River.

In 1863, Major Gen. Nathan Bedford Forrest recruited Bell for an independent command that Forrest was organizing in West Tennessee and northern Mississippi. Bell served with Forrest until the end of the war. Bell served as a recruiting and conscript officer until he was eventually given command of a brigade. In recognition of his service in the Battle of Brice’s Cross Roads and various campaigns in Mississippi and Tennessee, Bell was commissioned as a brigadier general on February 28, 1865.

General Bell fought to the last along side General Forrest, finally surrendering with him at Selma, Alabama at the end of the war. Later, Bell moved to Fresno, California, and became a farmer. He died while traveling through New Orleans on September 1, 1902. His remains are buried in Bethel Cemetery, Del Rey, California, in Fresno County.