Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1891-07-25
BELLE BOYD, THE SPY.

Another Chapter in the History of the Dar-
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
Jackson's foot cavalry''-and many
will be the regrets expressed when they
learn from this that she has been in
serious trouble ir the north. The ma
ture of this trouble is poverty and ina
bility to support her children, and
they were about to be taken from her,
and the matter is still pending in the
courts.
In the spring of 1862 Georgia regi-
ment was marching at the head OF
Ewelfs division down the Luray valley.
We had passed through the town of Lu-
ray, and were nearing Fort Royal, go
ing-we knew not where-on one of
Jackson's secret marches. Suddenly
from a settlement road there appeared
at n full run a most magnificent horse,
and with a rider-a most beautiful
young lady-who sat the horse as if
born to the saddle. never saw a 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, land you may
just as well get ready for fight, for it
won't be long before you will 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. 1t 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
out to lind 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
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 form
ed a line of battle and threw out skir'
mishers and were gradually closing in
on the place. A slight skirmish fight
commotion in the direction of the town
and soon we caught sight of n lady OF
horseback, coming like a cyclone to
wards us. A lot of Yankee cavalry
We're pursuing her, and the bullet:
from their carbines made music in the
air. We expected every minute to see
her shot off her horse, but she never
halted or Stacked her speed. AS shC
neared us we recognized her as Belle
Boyd. and directing our fire on her pur
suers we caused them to turn back
Again she inquired for jackson, bu
Maj. Harry Douglas, of Jackson
staff, had already seen her, and togeth
er they went to the rear. l suppos,
she must have told jackson tina
the Yankee force was too strong for u
/ 10 dULdCh, IOT OuChSOn lInuleuldIGl.
withdrew all of his forces and left tn
town, going in the direction of Har
per's Ferry. Belle was never seen il
our army again. After we left the val
ley she returned to her home near Mar
tinsburg and shortly after she wa
captured by the Yankees and carried
prisoner to Washington After a lon
captivity she was sent south and wa
sent by our governor on u secret mis-
sion to Europe. Taking passage on
blockade runner, the vessel was cap
ured and with it Belle Boyd. A Lieu
Harding, of the captors, was very kin
to Belle in her captivity, and they wer
afterwards married. He dying not lon
after, Belle married some one else, an
was divorced and again married-th
last time marrying an actor. Since th
last marriage they have been playin
} with indifferent and varied success, an
at last became strapped" in som
: northern city, whore their trouble abo'
their children commenced, and whtcl