West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1891-06-18
HER COMING MEANT A FIGHT.
4 'onfederate Soldiers Reminiscence
OF the Dashing Spy, Belle BOYD.
Atlanta Constitution.

ers Of Stonewall Jackson and Ewell
in the celebrated Ranks campaign
in the valley of Virginia, remember
Belle Boyd, the Confederate spy
and scout. the pet of Jaokson'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
regiment was marching at The head
of Ewell's division down the Lurav
Valley. We had passel through
the town of Luray and were nearing
Fort Royal, going-we knew not
where-on one of Jackson's secret
marches. Suddenly from a settle
ment road there appeared at full
run most magnificent horse. and
with q riler--a most beautiful
young lady, who sat on the horse
us if born TO the saddle. | never
saw a lovelier sigh. Hating in
front of our regiment she inq, ired
for Jackson. One of our officers
knew her and gave her the infor-
nation, and Off she went to our
rear, riding like John Gilpin.
THAT is Belle Boyd" said the
ohcier who had directed her, "and
You may just as well get ready for
fight. for it won't be long before
YOU will see her and old Jnckson
pass to the front, and then YOU may
look out. "
Sure enough, very soon here
they came. and as they passed us
the commend was passed up the
line to load aud then to "double
quick. F." We were soon at Fort
Royal, where We surprised AID cap
tured the troops stationed there.
IL afterwards WAS told that Belle
Boyd had been i'm and around Fort
Royal for a day or two, and having
found out everything necessary for
Jackson TO know, that she had
started out to find him and give him
the information which enabled him
to swoop down on them and take
them IN.
From Fort Royal to Win,h sc
we saw her few times on Il G
march, either riding with Jackson
or some of hls staff. After the
capture of Winchester we pushed
on to Martinsburg, twenty two
miles toward the Potomac. We
missed her when We left Winchester.
Arriving at Mariinsburg we formed
a line Of battle and throw out skir.
mishers and were gradually closing
in on the place. A slight skirmIsh
fight was going on when we heard
al unusual commotion in the .di-
roction Of .he town, and soon caughe
light Of lady on horseback coming
like cyclone toward us. A lot Of
Yankee cavalry were pursuing her,
and the bullets from their caibines
made music in the air. We expect-
ed every minute to sec 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, ofJack-
sons staff, had seen her, and to-
gc'hor they went to the rear.
! suppose she must have told Jack
son that the Yankee force WAS too
strong for us to attack, for Jack
son Immediately withdrew ali OF his
forces and left the town, going in
the direction Of Harper's Ferry.
Belle was never seen in our army
again After VIC loft The valley sbo
returned to her home near Martins
burg. and shortly after was cap.
tured by The Yankees and carried a
I prisoner to Washington. After
long captivity she was sent South.
and was sent By our Governor on q
secret mission to Europe. Taking
passage on a blockade runner the
vessel was captured, and with it
Belle Boyd. A Lieut.. Harding Of
the captors was very kind to Belle
in her captivity, and they were af.
terwards married lie dying not
long after Belle married some one
else, and was divorced and again