Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1891-04-29
nER COMING MEANT a FIGHT.
A Confederate Soldiers "Reminiscences OF
the Dashlng spy, Belle Boyd.
AtlaHiG CoHs'iiuiio".

II
Many OF Washington countys vet
Grams. who followed the feathers OF
Stonewall Jackson and Ewell IN the
celebrated Banks campaign In the valley
OF Virginia, remember Belle Boyd, the
Confederate spy and scout, the pet OF
Jackson's foot cavalry" and many
will be the regrets expressed when they
learn from this that she has been In
serious trouble IN the North.
In the spring Of 1862 Georgia regl-
ment was marching at the head OF
Ewelrs division down the Luray valley:
We had passed through the town OF
Luray and were nearing Fort Royal,
roing-we knew not where-on one OF
Jackson's secret marches. suddenly
from a settlement road there appeared
at full run most magnificent horse,
and with a rider-a most oeauuIuL
voung lady-whO sat the horse as II
born TO the saddle. never saw love-
lier sight. Hating in front Of our reg
iment she inquired for Jackson. one OF
our officers knew her and gave her the
information, and of she went to our
rear. riding like John Gilpin.
THAT is Belle Boyd, said the ohicer
who had directed her, land you may
lust as well get ready for night Tor II
won't be long before you will see her ana
old jackson pass to the front, ana then
you may look out.
sure enough, very soon here they
came. aud as they passed US the com
mand was passed mp the line to load ana
IT,, 20 "double ouick. We were soon
AZ Fort Royal, where we surprised ana
captured the troops stationed there. IL
afterwards was told that Belle Boyd had
been I'm and around Fort Royal FOR
dav or two, and, having found out every
taing necessary for Jackson TO know,
that she had started out TO lind him ana
give him the Information which enabled
him 10 swoOp down on them and take
them i'm.
From Fort Royal 10 Winchester we
saw her a few times on the march,
either riding with Jackson or some OF
his staff. After the capture OF Win
chester we pushed on TO Martins0urg'
miles toward the Potomac.
We missed her when We left Nlnches-
Ter. Arriving al Martinsburg we form
ed lineo battle and threw out SHirm-
isbers and were gradually closing in on
the place. A slight skirmiSh fight was
going on when we heard an unusual
commotion i'm the direction OF the
town. and soon caught sight OF
q ladv on horseback coming like
cyclone toward us. 4 lot OF YANKEE
cavalry were pursuing her, and the oul-
lets from their carbineS made music IN
the air. We expected every minute to
see her shot of OF her horse, but she
never halted or Slackened her speed
As She neared Us We recognized her as
Belle BOYD, and, directing our fire on
her pursuerS, We caused them TO turn
back.
Again she inquired for Jackson, but
Major Harry Douglass, OF Jackson ;
staff, had seen her. and together they
went % the rear. / suppose She must
have told jackson that the Yankee
force was too strong for US to attack,
for jackson Immediately withdrew all
of his forces and left the town, going In
the direction OF Harper'S Ferry.
Belle was never seen i'm our army
again. After We left the valley she re-
turned 20 her home near Martlnsburg'
and shortly after was captured by the
Yankees and carried prisoner TO Wash
ingtou. After long captivity she was
sen, South. aud was sent by our Cover
nor Oh q secret mission to Europe TAX
ing passage on a blockade runner the
vessel was captured, and with 1t Belle
Bovd. 4 Lieut.. Harding OF the captors
was very kind To Belle in her captivity,
and they were afterwards married. lie
diving not long after, Belle married
some one else, and was divorced aud
again married-the last time marrying
an actor.