Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1894-11-25
WOMEN WHO ACTED AS SPIES.

Bravery Displayed by Fair Federal and
Confederate Sympathizers in the War
Women Of ell ranks and positions took
part in the late civil war, not only as
spies, but also as private soldiers and
holding honorary commissions. II Is
difficult TO say whether their motives
were like those OF Joan of Archie sal
walton of their country-or merely love
of excitement. But it is astonishing 10
find, In talking with ex-oficers, how
many of the other sex did share the
hardships OF battle, some openly con
Tossing their sex, others disguised as
men.
Every one knows Of Belle Boyd, the
famous spy, but there are many whose
names never became famous, but whose
work was as subtle and as daring.
Miss Ford was devoted little rebel
aud lived at Fairfax Court House. Her
fathers home was headquarters for the
staff officers of the Union, and Miss
Ford was quite bell among them. She
was, to all purposes, for the Union, and
the officers believed in her to the extent
OF telling her much OF the strength OF
the army. By careful investigation and
close observation she obtained In a
seemingly careless manner all informa-
ton necessary for the use OF the Con-
federates.
The only frequent visitor she had was
an unpretentious, provincial youth,
who would sit on the piazza with her in
the Afternoon exciting no suspicion.
The youth" was MosOy, the famous
guerilla, and Miss Ford, who was honor
airy aide-de-camp to Brigadier General
J. E. 3. Stuart, was giving him the
whole scheme and strength OF the
Union forces, where the pickets were
stationed, the strength OF the outposts,
the names of officers in command, the
nature of general orders, the places
where officers quarters were establish
ed, and the number OF officers present
Once when she was riding with q
Union officer, Mosby joined them in his
unfashiouable citizens clothes; Miss
Ford introduced him under his assumed
name, and joining them for few miles
he learned much that be wished TO
know. That night Mosby vas enabled
through Miss Ford's information TO
make the attack upon General Slough
ton, carrying officers as prisoners, also
valuable property, and capturing 100
fine horses. IL was this affair which
called forth Lincoln's we'll known re-
mark that, sit was great pity; he
he could make brigadier generals, but
couldn't make horses"
The true circumstances and mode Of
attack, the accurate Information in
possession of the Confederate leader,
all spoke unmistaksbly TO the existence
of a spy within the lines, so woman
was sent TO meet a woman. One OF the
female detectives OF the Secret Service
went to Miss Ford representing herself
as Southern woman asking protection
to reach the Confederate lines, and the
two women became friends In burst
OF confidence Miss Ford showed the de-
tective the sealed commission of aide
de.camp which she kept between her
mattresses. She was arrested and sent
to Old Capitol Prison.
There was another disting uiShed fe-
male captive at the prison at the same
time. and she was q Southerner. Dis
guised in soldiers clothes, she had en-
tered too far into the lines. and was ar
rested for spy. She had no friends in
the city to supply her with appropriate
clothing. Ii was at last reported that
being greatly mortified regarding her
raiment she stayed in bed all the time
rather Ahan TO appear in e after her sex
had been detected. mentioned her
dilemuk to that most worthy. true
hearted Presbyterian divine. DIR. John
c. Smirh. and suggested that bis wife