Show GEN J FRANKLIN BELL U S A maj gen james franklin bell chief of staff of the united states army who in his annual report designates the army aa inadequate and an antl quat ed organization is a veteran officer who began his career fighting indians on the plains and raw active and hazardous service in the philippines during the spanish american war gen bell was born in shelbyville Shel byville ky in 1856 and graduated from the united states military academy in 1878 he served on the plains with the famous seventh cavalry from his graduation until 1894 participate ng in many of the early campaigns against the indians during his service in the philippines he was awarded a medal for gallantry he became a major general january 3 1907 |