The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1866-04-11

which doubtless had cheered many
Of the weary hours in camp. This
little musical scene would have made
beautiful picture. AS Belle Boyd
sang, the soldiers gathered around
her, and told with looks not to be
mistaken how dear the regard they
felt for this brave child of the Con-
federacy.
''Miss Belle is charming lady,"
sai,l one, rs he turned to leave the
cars.
''Most charming" was the enthu-
siastic answer of the young soldier
When the war broke out. Belle
Boyd's pleasant home was among the
first devastated by the Northern
army. Enthusiastic and daring by
nature, she threw herself heart and
soul INTO the contest, stimulated by
the wrongs and woes which had fallen
upon her beautiful home in Martins
burg. There was no office she dis
dained for the Confederates; and
when the sick and wounded were
brought to Martinsburg, she devo-
ted herself to nursing them. When
the Confederates under jackson re-
treated to Winchester, Martinsburg
was entered by the Federal troops.
Here they committed many depreda-
tons, destroying property which they
did not want, stealing what they did,
and in the grossest language insult
ing the women.
Determined to serve her country,
Belle Boyd made the acquaintance of
many of the officers of the Federal
army, from whom she obtained much
valuable information, which she COM
mltted to paper, and despatched to
some of the Confederate generals.
One of her missives falling into the
hands Of the Federals, she was taken
to headquarters and severely repri-
manded. From this time she was
suspected, and the epithet ''rebcl
spy" fixed upon her. Nothing daunt-
ed by her castigation, she paid q visit
to Manassas, where her father was
stationed, and frequently acted in the
capacity of courier between Gene
rails Jackson and Beauregard.
When the Confederate forces re-
treated down the Valley, Belle Boyd
was at Front Royal. Being desirous
of returning to Martinsburg, she
obtained q pass to do so; but was
seized while on her way there and
taken to Baltimore as q prisoner.
However, she v'as soon released, and
sent home, where the strictest sur
veillance was kept over her. After
while permission was granted her to
go to Front Royal, and it was there
that she performed those deeds which
have made her SO Justly dear to the
Southern army.
General Shields held council of
war in what had formerly been the
drawlng-room of the aunt of Belle
Ever on the alert to carry out her
mission, the young girl stole up
stairs, and finding hole in the closet
floor, she applied her ear to it. Here
she remained until one o'clock, over
hearing the whole of the delibe-
rations, and took down i'm cipher
every thing that she thought was of
importance. To communicate the
Intelligence thus gained was the next
object. Being surrounded by the
Federals, she had to proceed eau
tiously. Making her way to the
stables, she saddled her horse, and
galloped alone in the direction If the
mountains. Being several times
brought to a halt by the sentries,
she showed them her passport,
which was n pass she had procured
for a Confederate soldier going South,
and which had not been used for that
purpose.
Suspecting nothing, they let her go
on her way, and thus she dashed on
for fifteen miles, through the dark
ness of the night, and through fens
and marshes, until she reached the
house of friend. No woman not
possessing brave spirit could have
taken such a ride as this alone, in the
midst of enemies and on dark night.
But there was no sacrifice Belle Boyd
was not willing to make for her be-
loved South; and let those of her
sisters who stigmatize her as ''fast,"
ask if they have done even this, the
least Of her deeds, for the sake of
their country.
After communicating her informa-
tion to Col. Ashby, she remounted
her horse, and reached her home
safely, barely escaping a bullet which
q sleepy sentinel sent after her.
The Federals little imagined how
young girl had put to fight all their
wary plans for entrapping the Con-
federates. There was soon an un-