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

have brayed such terrible fire as
this, and Belle Boyd even now won,
ders what power gave such !heetness
to her steps and such undaunted corl-
rage to her heart. Constitutionally
brave, her bravery was severely nut
to the test; but love of country, love
of home, bore her triumpha ntly
through the fearful ordeal. She
neared the line, and waved her bon
net to signify that the troops should
press forward. Seeing female stand
ing undauntedly on the battle field,
amid such fearful shower of shot,
filled the Confederates with the wild
est enthusiasm, and cheer after cheer
rang through the welkin. The troops
dashed upon the town, and the heroic
girl proceeded on to deliver a note
with which she had been entrusted.
to one of the Confederate Generals.
Acting upon the information which
she had conveyed to the Confederates,
they gained q complete victory, and
it was n proud day for Belle Boyd
when the following note was placed in
her hands:
"May %, 1862.
Miss BELLE BOYD: I thank YOU.
for myself and for the army, for the
immense service that you have rem
dered your country to-day.
Hastily, [ am your friend,
"T. J. JACKSON, G.. S. A.
But dark days of Imprisonment
and suffering were approaching for
the intrepid "rebcl spy" as the
Northern press called her. Impru-
IDENTIFY entrusting a letter to General
jackson to the care of person who
called himself Southern soldier, but
who, in reality, was a Federal spy,
the document was forwarded to Wash
lngton, and IN order for her arrest
issued by Mr.. Stanton. 1t did not
take long to put the order into exc
cution, and Belle Boyd was sooa
safely ensconced within the walls of
the Old Capitol. The poor Gagged
bird, who had scared with so free a
wing through the fields of the sunny
South, now beat its wing YEARLY
against the hard prison bars; but
there was no escape. The young pri-
soner could but think of the sunshine
without; of the sweet liberty of which
she had been deprived; of the daring
deeds she would have done; of her
bleeding, suffering country she might
have helped, and pine with n throb-
blng heart for the days that were no
more, for the loved home so faraway,
and for the desolate hearts who wept
over the cruel captivity of this heroic
and daring child.
But no trouble seems to have tanned
her spirit; she refuses to take the
oath, hangs up Mr.. Davis portrait
over her mantel-piece, with the in
scription, "Three cheers for Jeff.
Davis and the Southern Confedera-
cyl communicates with the prisoners
through holes in the wall and crevices
in the floor, and sings ''rebel' songs
in clear, firm voice. and with a very
disloyal emphasis. Here, for several
months, she was subjected to rigorous
treatment-the sentry even going so
far, on one occasion, as to break her
thumb with the butt-end of his mus
ket, for placing some sugar in the
hands of one of the officers of the
prison, to be passed over to some
Confederate soldiers, by permission
of that very sentry himself.
But at length came the joyful news
she was free; and, escorted by
Maj. Fitzhugh, of Stuart's staff, she
entered an open carriage, and amidst
the cheers of the spectators, was
driven to the wharf. The pertinaci-
ty of this young girl is remarkable;
all her trials could not shake her al
legiance to the cause she thought
just; and we find her bearing off.
concealed about her person, two gold
sabre-knots, one Of which was in
tended for present for Gen. jackson,
the other for Gen. Joseph Johnston. !
When Belle Boyd returned to the
South, she received her commission
as captain and honorary aid-de-camp
to ''Stonewall Jackson" When the
troops were reviewed in the presence
of Lord harrington and Col. Leslie,
she attended on horseback, and was
associated with the staff officers of
the several commanders.
After q tour through the Southern
States, she returned to her home in
Martinsburg, but she was not suffer-
ed to remain there long. Martins
burg became again the possession of
the Federal troops, who placed the
''rebel spy under the strictest
espionage, not even allowing her to
walk out into her balcony. At length
there came a summons from Wash