After only six weeks of recovery after being wounded at Shiloh, Bell returned was promoted to colonel of the 12th Tennessee Infantry Regiment in May 1862. He continued as colonel of the consolidated 12th Tennessee Infantry and 22nd Tennessee Infantry when the regiments were combined on June 17, 1862.[1] Bell led the regiment in the Confederate invasion of Kentucky and the Battle of Richmond,[2][3] and operations around Corinth, Mississippi.[3]