Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1891-07-03

scout, the PRIDE OF Jackson's foot cav
airy"
In the spring of 1862 Georgia regi-
ment was marching at the head Of
Ewell's Division down the Luray Val
ley. We had passed through the town
of Luray and were nearing Fort Royal,
going-we knew not wherein one of
Jackson's secret marches. Suddenly
from settlement road there appeared
at a full run most magnificent horse,
and with rider-a most beautiful
young lady-who sat the horse as if
born to the. saddle. I never saw
lovelier sight. Hating in front of our
regiment, she inquired for jackson.
One of our officers knew her and gave
her the information. and off she went
to our rear, riding like John Gilpin.
"That is Belle Boyd, said the officer
who had directed her, "and you may
just as we'll get ready for fight, for it
won't be long before you will see her
and old Jackson pass to the front, and
then you may look out"
came, and as they passed us the COM
and then to double quick" We were
soon at Fort Royal, where we surprised
and captured the troops stationed
there. It afterwards was told 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
up to find him and give the information
which enabled him to swoop down on
them and take them in.
| From Fort Royal to Winchester we
saw her q few times on the march,
either riding with jackson or some Of
his 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-
ter. Arriving at Martinsburg we
formed line of battle and threw out
skirmishers and were gradually clos
ing in on the place. A slight skirmish
fight was going on when we heard an
unusual connection in the direction Of
the town, and soon caught sight of
lady on horseback coming like cy-
clone toward us. A lot of Yankee cav
airy were pursuing her, and the bull
let's from their carbines made music in
the air. We expected every minute to
see her shot off 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 pursurers, we caused them to turn
back.
Again she inquired for jackson, but
Maj. Harry Douglass, of Jackson's
staff, had already seen her, and to-
gether they went to the rear. I sup
pose 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 in our army
again. After we left the valley she
returned to her home near Martins
burg, and shortly after was captured
by the Yankees and carried prisoner
to Washington. After long captivity
she was sent South, and was sent by
our Governor on secret mission to
Europe. Taking passage on q block
ade runner, the vessel was captured,
and with it Belle Boyd. ALieutenant
Harding of the captors was very kind
to Belle in her captivity, and they were
afterward married. He dying not i. lg
after, Belle married some one else, and
was divorced and again married-the
last time marrying an actor.-Atlanta
Constitution,