The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1876-08-04
Relic KOYI.
AN INTERVIEW wITR THE FAMOUS REBEL SPY
HOW SHE SAVED JACKSON'S ARMY IN THE
SHENANDOAH VALLEY.

SllENANDOAH ' AlsI.bl.
[From the Houston Texas) Agc.I
Yesterday evening, hearing that Miss
Belle Boyd had arrived from Galveston and
was stopping mt the DiSsen House, an Age
reporter called, and in the second-story par
or Of the hotel met this lady, whose name
will live to future ages along with that OF
Joan Fare, as one OF the romantic charac-
ters that looms up from the great war Of
1861.
Miss BOYD appeared neatly attired, and is
rather handsome woman, whose dark eyes
flash with something of the Virginia beauty
in times gone by./
After few minutes conversation the dis
course dr-ifted to discussion OF the war.
In reply to question of the reporter,
Miss Boyd gave the following account OF her
saving of Stonewall Jackson'S army in the
Valley, in 1862:
At the time she was prisoner Of war in
Winchester, which was then held by the
Federals. One evening Miss Belle was in
the parlor talking with Captain Jones, OF the
Twenty fourth Indiana, when she overheasd
an officer remark, "We'll get old Stonewall
this time" Whilst pretending to talk to
the captain she intently listened, but heard
no more. A few minutes afterwards she
managed to get to speak to negro man
ing overheard. She slipped q note in his
hand, at the same time giving him So, and
telling him to deliver the note to certain
lady of her acquaintance in Winchester.
! The note requested her friends, among
| other directions, TO send Miss Belle coun-
| trvwoman'S suit OF clothes Immediately.
! The note was promptly answered by the ap-
pearance Of negro servant girl, carrying
| bundle containing the 'country suit" 1t
was conveyed into the hands Of the "spy"
without exciting suspicion. She immc-
diately habited herself in the coarse robes
OF a servant and with a long bonnet-such
as used to be worn by negro servant girls
before the war-coyering her features, she
passed the guard, who supposed her to be
servant-girl sure enough. Having escaped
she made her way on foot to an old "rebel,"
MI Gibson, five miles from Winchester.
The "spy," to whom Mr.. Gibson was
well known as an old friend, said:
"Mr. Gibson, want a horse"
Gibson: "What in the world do you
want with horsc?"
Miss Boyd: 'I want to go to Jackson's
army
Gibson: "But how in the nation can you
think of going in that dress?"
Miss Belle "I don't care how go, or
what wear, so I get to Stonewall Jackson
tonight. / want to save his army. l don't
care what they take me for, or whether they
think Pm niger or not"
The old man found it was of no use per-
suading her. She mounted high-mettled
Virginia steed, and struck out at gallop.
After riding some seven miles from Gibson's
she heard voices in the woods near the road,
it being night. She drew rein and rode into
the bushes. The voices drew nearer. The
Yankees have pursued and cut me off, she
thought. But it turned out to be some boys
COON and 'possum-hunting. This dissi-
pated her fright. She knew one OF the
hunters.
"I want you to tell me if you know any
thing of Stonewall Jackson's army" she
inquired of him.
ayes, his army is some six or eight miles
towards the mountains" was the reply.
The .tfemale spy" rode on, and the dawn
OF the morning was breaking upon the his
toric hills OF Virginia as she reached jack
sons camp. One of the first persons she
encountered was an officer OF his staf who
had previously known her.
HHey, Miss Belle" said he, ''what are you
doing here? | thought you were In 4, VIM
chester Yesterday evening prisoner"
at was.n she replied, q but am at Stone
wall Jackson's headquarters this morning."
Regarding her servants apparel, the Of
ticer said:
"aiiss Belle, who in the world has been
hiring YOU for chambermaid since you've
been to Winchester ?"
"Oh, nobody has been hiring me, but I'VE
come to be Stonewall Jackson's waiting
maid to-day!"
She was Immediately carried to General
;Jacksorl's tent, where she informed him OF
the intentions Of Fremont and Banks to 1ali
upon him, and that his only move was to re.
treat. He did so, and intercepted Banks at
the Gap, and afterward Fremont, with what
result history tells.