Charles was always interested in politics at the age of 25 he was in Pennsalvania State Senate for three years before the Civil War broke out.  Charles was given a commission as a 1st Lieutenant and assigned as a staff officer to the office of Lieutenant General Winfield Scott.  After General Scott was removed, Charles Bell was reassigned to Major General George McClellan. In 1863 he held the rank of a Major and recieved a promotion to Lieutenant Colonel for excellant service to Major General McClellan. In 1864 Charles was promoted to full Colonel in command of an Aferican American Regiment, the fightting first  Eventually rose to the rank of Brigadier General.  After the war he was retained as a Brigadier General and served another ten years retired with rank of Major General.