The following brief letter from E. B. Bell appeared in the Columbia Daily South Carolinian, 9 Sep 1856, p. 2, c. 2:

"We have (says the Charleston Courier) received the following letter from our gallant friend, Capt. E. B. Bell:

'WESTPORT, MO., August 24.

Editors Charleston Courier: I left Charleston with Capt. Palmer's company on the 7th of August, and by good judgment and good luck, we arrived in St. Louis on the morning of the 14th. The party left the same day. Having some business to attend to, I laid over and waited Maj. Wilkes, who arrived on the 20th. In the meantime exciting news arrived from Kansas, but no confidence could be put in the report, and I would not send it. With Major W's party I left St. Louis, and arrived here this morning early. The party kept on to Leavenworth. The boys were as fine and noble a set as ever left South Carolina.

Such a sight as I witnessed when I arrived here. It has never been my my lot to see any thing like it -- armed men going and coming in every direction -- horses saddled, wagons loaded, band of music playing, artillery moving out -- nothing but excitement. Our rendezvous is ten miles form here, and it is stated here to-night that 600 men are camped there and 400 more are expected to-morrow. Doctors, judges, lawyers, physicians and ministers, all are neglecting their business and going. The news published is all true; the thing has come to a crisis, and the time has come for action. There is a spirit of determination in the countenances of Missourians, and this time they will not be fooled. I leave in a few minutes for a camp at New Santa Fe. They will organize to-morrow, and I will send you all the news. I write this simply to assure you that things are as bad as they are represented. More anon."

One cannot help but wonder what "exciting news arrived from Kansas," but in which Bell failed to place confidence and did not relay the rumor to South Carolina.