"Commander In Chief" GAR on the stone - see image jamesbell.jpg
Born in Manhattan. Died in Flatbush, Bklyn.
FAG MEMORIAL ID#114712410 ·
BELL , JAMES D.— Age, 20 years (actually he was 16). Enlisted, October 1,1861, at New York ; mustered in as private, Oo. B , October 1, 1861, for 3 years; promoted to corporal, October 28, 1861; wounded in action on the Black Water, November 14,1862; promoted, sergeant, December 21, 1862; reduced, March 3, 1863; re-enlisted, February 1, 1864; promoted, commissary sergeant, Jul y 1,1864; regimental commissary sergeant, October 19,1864; relieved, October 24, 1864, and transferred to Co. E , as first sergeant; captured, April 4,1865, at We i don, N . C ; released, May 4, 1865, at Sister's Ferry, Ga. ; mustered out June 26, 1865, at New York.
For nearly fifty years he was a resident of Brooklyn and became known as one of the foremost citizens of that great city. He took up
law for his life work and soon he gained greatprominence in his chosen profession. For ten years he was Corporation Counsel of the
Borough of Brooklyn; for four years he was
President of the Brooklyn Bar Association and
for 2 years he was Vice-President of the State
Bar Association. He was United States District
Attorney for Eastern District of New York at the
time of his death.
Outside of his profession he was called to many positions of high honor and responsibility,
indicating great confidence and respect on the part of his fellow citizens.
Comrade Bell was, for many years, Judge Advocate of the Department of New York,
GAR and rendered signal service by preparing a digest of all important dicisions of the National
Judge Advocate, and by compiling all New York State Laws touching veterans’ interests, both of
which have been published in the proceedings of the State Encampments.
For 13 years he was commander of Abel Smith, first Long Island Post, was elected to the office of Department of New York Commander in 1914, and was elected Commander-in-Chief at the National Encampment in 1919