Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1891-08-13
BELLE BOYD, THE SPY.
Another Chapter in the History of the Dai
ing Girl.

ing Girl.
Many of Washington county's veter
ans, who followed the feathers of Stone
wall jackson and Ewell in the cele
brated Banks campaign in the valley
of Virginia, remember well the subject
of this short sketch-Belle Boyd, the
confederate spy and scout, the pet Of
JaclSson's foot cavalry''-and many
Will be the regrets expressed when they
learn from this that sh- has been in
serious trouble in the north. The ma
ture of this trouble is poverty and ina
bility to support her children and
they We're about to be taken from her,
and the matter is still pending in the
courts.
In the spring of 1862 a Georgia regi.
ment was marching At the head of
Ewell's division down the Luray vail ~
We had passed through the town OF Luz
ray, and We're nearing Fort Royal. go-
ing-we knew not where-on one of
JaeSson's secret marches. Suddenly
from settlement road there appeared
AZ full run most magnificent horse,
aud with a rider-a most beautiful
young lady-who sat the horse as if
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 desired information, and then off
she went to our rear, riding like the
celebrated John Gilpin
THAT is Belle Boyd, said the officer
who had directed her, "and yoa may
just as well get ready for a fight, for it
won't be long before you viii see her
and jackson pass to the front, and then
you may look out Sure enough. very
soon here they came, and as they passed (
us the command was passed up the line |
to load and then to double quick
We We're soon at Fort Royal, where we
surprised and captured the troops sta
toned there II afterwards was toll |
that Belle Boyd had been in and around |
Fort Royal for day or two, and hav-
ing found out everything necessary for
Jackson to know that she had started
out to find him and give the informa-
ton which enabled him TO swoop down
on them and take them in
From Fort Royal to Winchester we
saw her few times on the march,
either riding with jackson or some of
MS staff. After the capture of Win
chester we pushed on to Martinsburg,
twenty-five miles toward the Potomac.
We missed her when we left Winches-
er. Arriving at Martinsburg we form
ID line of battle and threw out Skin
nishers and were gradually closing in
m the plaaa 4 elso-b4 el-;,.,,,sel, Ell.
vas going on when we heard an unusual
.ommotion in the direction OF the town.
md soon we caught sight of lady on
horseback, coming like a cyclone to-
wards US. A lot of Yankee cavalry
we're pursuing her. and the bullets
rom their carbines made music in the
ir. We expected every minute to see
Ter shot off her horse but she never
Ialted or Stacked her speed As she
cared us we recognized her as Belle
'oyd, and directing our fire on her pur-
uers we caused them to turn back.
gain she inquired for Jackson. but [
iaj. Harry. Douglas, of Jackson's
taft, had already seen her, and togeth-
r they went to the rear. suppose I
he must have told jackson that
he Yankee force was too strong for us !
D attack, for jackson Immediately S
all of his forces and left the I
,wn. going in the direction of Har- c
er's Ferry. Belle was never seen in I
ur army again. After we left the val G
" she returned to her home near Mar S
nsburg and shortly after She was L
lptured by the Yankees and carried S
risoner to Washington After a long /
iptivity she was sent south and was !
mt by our governor on secret mis- a
on to Europe. Taking passage on a
Iockade runner, the vessel was capt 1
red and with it Belle Boyd A Lieut. O
arding, of the captors. was very kind d
Belle in her captivity, and they were v
'terwards married He dying not long s.
ter, Belle married some one else. and v
as divorced and again married-the o
st time marrying an actor Since the a
st marriage they have been playing / Il
it'll Indifferent and varied success. and il
last became strapped in some h
,rthern city. where their trouble about e.
cir children commenced, and which. Il