Belle Boyd, In Camp and Prison, Vol. I - Chapters V-VII



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CHAPTER V.
Advance of the Federal Army - I leave Home with my Father - Battle of 
Kearnstown - I am Arrested and carried Prisoner to Baltimore - Released 
and sent to Martinsburg - I attempt to go South to Richmond - Shields' 
Army at Front Royal - Incidents, &c., &c. 

   WITH the first genial days of spring the Federal troops broke up their 
winter quarters, and advanced again upon the devastated village of 
Martinsburg, which had been held during the winter by the Confederates. 
Martinsburg, situated as it was on the border of the State, was 
incessantly a bone of contention, and its capture 

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and recapture were of frequent recurrence.

   My father, who had been at home on sick-leave for several weeks, was 
now able to resume his military duties, and he decided upon removing me 
farther south, as our home was in constant peril, and I had gained a 
notoriety which would hardly recommend me to the favourable notice of the 
Federals in the event of their shortly reoccupying Martinsburg, which 
seemed only too probable.

   Accordingly I was again sent to Front Royal, there to remain until our 
home should once more be secure.

   A few days after my arrival at Front Royal a battle was fought close 
by, at Kearnstown. The Confederates, vastly overmatched in numbers, were 
forced to retreat, and Front Royal became the prize of the conquerors. 
Thus, to use a homely 

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adage, "out of the frying-pan into the fire" had been my fate.

   Upon the approach of the enemy my uncle and aunt, taking with them one 
daughter, quitted home with the intention of reaching Richmond, leaving 
their other daughter, Alice S-, a beautiful girl about my own age, our 
grandmamma, Mrs. Glynn and myself, to take charge of the house and 
servants, and act in all contingencies to the best of our ability.

   When I found that the Confederate forces were retreating so far down 
the Valley, and reflected that my father was with them, I became very 
anxious to return to my mother; and, as no tie of duty bound me to Front 
Royal, I resolved upon the attempt at all hazards.

   I started in company with my maid, and had got safely without adventure 
of any kind as far as Winchester, when some unknown 

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enemy or some malicious neutral denounced me to the authorities as a 
Confederate spy.

   Before, however, this act of hostility or malice had been perpetrated, 
I had taken the precaution of procuring a pass from General Shields; and I 
fondly hoped that this would, under all circumstances, secure me from 
molestation and arrest; for I was not aware that, while I was in the very 
act of receiving my bill of "moral health," an order was being issued by 
the Provost-Marshal which forbade me to leave the town.

   When the hour which I had fixed for my departure arrived I stepped into 
the railway- cars, and was congratulating myself with the thought that I 
should ere long be at home once more, and in the society of those I loved, 
when a Federal officer, Captain Bannon, appeared. He was in charge 

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of some Confederate prisoners, who, under his command, were en route to 
the Baltimore prison.

   I was more surprised than pleased when, handing over the prisoners to a 
subordinate, he walked straight up to me, and said -

   "Is this Miss Belle Boyd?"

   "Yes."

   "I am the Assistant-Provost, and I regret to say orders have been 
issued for your detention, and it is my duty to inform you that you cannot 
proceed until your case has been investigated; so you will, if you please, 
get out, as the train is on the point of starting."

   "Sir," I replied, presenting him General Shields' pass, "here is a pass 
which I beg you will examine. You will find that it authorizes my maid and 
myself to pass on any road to Martinsburg."

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   He reflected for some time, and at last said -

   "Well, I scarcely know how to act in your case. Orders have been issued 
for your arrest, and yet you have a pass from the General allowing you to 
return home. However, I shall take the responsibility upon my shoulders, 
convey you with the other prisoners to Baltimore, and hand you over to 
General Dix."

   I played my rôle of submission as gracefully as I could; for where 
resistance is impossible it is still left to the vanquished to yield with 
dignity.

   The train by which we travelled was the first that had been run through 
from Wheeling to Baltimore since the damage done to the permanent way by 
the Confederates had been repaired.

   We had not proceeded far when I observed an old friend of mine, Mr. M., 

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of Baltimore, a gentleman whose sympathies were strongly enlisted on the 
side of the South. At my request he took a seat beside me, and, after we 
had conversed for some time upon indifferent topics, he told me in a 
whisper that he had a small Confederate flag concealed about his person.

   "Manage to give it me," I said: "I am already a prisoner; besides, free 
or in chains, I shall always glory in the possession of the emblem."

   Mr. M. watched his opportunity, and, when all eyes were turned from us, 
he stealthily and quickly drew the little flag from his bosom and placed 
it in my hand.

   We had eluded the vigilance of the officer under whose surveillance I 
was travelling; and I leave my readers to imagine his surprise when I drew 
it forth from my pocket, and, with a laugh, waved it 

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over our heads with a gesture of triumph. It was a daring action, but my 
captivity had, I think, superadded the courage of despair to the hardihood 
I had already acquired in my country's service.

   The first emotions of the Federal officer and his men were those of 
indignation; but better feelings succeeded, and they allowed it was an 
excellent joke that a convoy of Confederate prisoners should be brought in 
under a Confederate flag, and that flag raised by a lady.

   Upon our arrival at Baltimore I was taken to the Eutaw House, one of 
the largest and best hotels in the city, where, I must in justice say, I 
was treated with all possible courtesy and consideration, and permission 
to see my friends was at once and spontaneously granted.

   As soon as it was known that I was in Baltimore, a prisoner and alone, 
I was 

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visited not merely by my personal friends, but by those who knew me by 
reputation only; for Baltimore is Confederate to its heart's core.

   I remained a prisoner in the Eutaw House about a week; at the 
expiration of which time General Dix, the officer in command, having heard 
nothing against me, decided to send me home. I arrived safely at 
Martinsburg, which was now occupied in force by the Federal troops.

   Here I was placed under a strict surveillance, and forbidden to leave 
the town. I was incessantly watched and persecuted; and at last the 
restrictions imposed upon me became so irksome and vexatious that my 
mother resolved to intercede with Major Walker, the Provost-Marshal, on my 
behalf. The result of this intercession was that he granted us both a 
pass, by way of Winchester, to Front Royal, with a view 

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to my being sent on to join my relations at Richmond.

   Upon arriving at Winchester we had much difficulty in getting 
permission to proceed; for General Shields had just occupied Front Royal, 
and had prohibited all intercourse between that place and Winchester. 
However, Lieutenant-Colonel Fillebrowne, of the 10th Maine Regiment, who 
was acting as Provost- Marshal, at length relented, and allowed us to go 
on our way.

   It was almost twilight when we arrived at the Shenandoah River. We 
found that the bridges had been destroyed, and no means of transport left 
but a ferry-boat, which the Yankees monopolized for their own exclusive 
purposes.

   Here we should have been subjected to much inconvenience and delay, had 
it not been for the courtesy and kindness of 

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Captain Everhart, through whose intervention we were enabled to cross at 
once.

   It was quite dark when we reached the village, and, to our great 
surprise, we found the family domiciled in a little cottage in the 
courtyard, the residence having been appropriated by General Shields and 
his staff.

   However, we were glad enough to find ourselves at our journey's end, 
and to sit down to a comfortable dinner, for which fatigue and a long fast 
had sharpened our appetite. As soon as we had satisfied our hunger I sent 
in my card to General Shields, who promptly returned my missive in person. 
He was an Irishman, and endowed with all those graces of manner for which 
the better class of his countrymen are justly famous, nor was he devoid of 
the humour for which they are no less notorious.

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   To my application for leave to pass instanter through his lines, en 
route for Richmond, he replied that old Jackson's army was so demoralized 
that he dared not trust me to their tender mercies, but that they would be 
annihilated within a few days, and after such a desirable consummation I 
might wander whither I would.

   This of course was mere badinage on his part; but I am convinced he 
felt confident of immediate and complete success, or he would not have 
allowed some expressions to escape him which I turned to account. In 
short, he was completely off his guard, and forgot that a woman can 
sometimes listen and remember.

   General Shields introduced me to the officers of his staff, two of whom 
were young Irishmen; and to one of these, Captain K., I am indebted for 
some very remarkable effusions, some withered 

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flowers, and last, not least, for a great deal of very important 
information, which was carefully transmitted to my countrymen. I must avow 
the flowers and the poetry were comparatively valueless in my eyes; but 
let Captain K. be consoled: these were days of war, not of love, and there 
are still other ladies in the world besides the "rebel spy."

   The night before the departure of General Shields, who was about, as he 
informed us, to "whip" Jackson, a council of war was held in what had 
formerly been my aunt's drawing-room. Immediately above this was a 
bedchamber, containing a closet, through the floor of which I observed a 
hole had been bored, whether with a view to espionage or not I have never 
been able to ascertain. It occurred to me, however, that I might turn the 
discovery to account; and, as soon as the council of war had 

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assembled, I stole softly up-stairs, and, lying down the floor of the 
closet, applied my ear to the hole, and found, to my great joy, I could 
distinctly hear the conversation that was passing below.

   The council prolonged their discussion for some hours; but I remained 
motionless and silent until the proceedings were brought to a conclusion, 
at one o'clock in the morning. As soon as the coast was clear I crossed 
the courtyard, and made the best of my way to my own room, and took down 
in cypher everything, I had heard which seemed to me of any importance.

   I felt convinced that to rouse a servant, or make any disturbance at 
that hour, would excite the suspicions of the Federals by whom I was 
surrounded; accordingly I went straight to the stables myself, saddled my 
horse, and galloped away in the direction of the mountains.

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   Fortunately I had about me some passes which I had from time to time 
procured for Confederate soldiers returning south, and which, owing to 
various circumstances, had never been put in requisition. They now, 
however, proved invaluable; for I was twice brought to a standstill by the 
challenge of the Federal sentries, and who would inevitably have put a 
period to my adventurous career had they not been beguiled by my false 
passport. Once clear of the chain of sentries, I dashed on unquestioned 
across fields and along roads, through fens and marshes, until, after a 
scamper of about fifteen miles, I found myself at the door of Mr. M. s 
house. All was still and quiet: not a light was to be seen. I did not lose 
a moment in springing from my horse; and, running up the steps, I knocked 
at the door with such vehemence that the house re-echoed with the sound.

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   It was not until I had repeated my summons, at intervals of a few 
seconds, for some time, that I heard the response, "Who is there?" given 
in a sharp voice from a window above.

   "It is I."

   "But who are you? What is your name?"

   "Belle Boyd. I have important intelligence to communicate to Colonel 
Ashby: is he here?"

   "No; but wait a minute: I will come down."

   The door was opened, and Mrs. M. drew me in, and exclaimed, in a tone 
of astonishment -

   "My dear, where did you come from? and how on earth did you get here?"

   "Oh, I forced the sentries," I replied, "and here I am; but I have no 
time to tell the how, and the why, and the wherefore. I must see Colonel 
Ashby without the loss 

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of a minute: tell me where he is to be found."

   Upon hearing that his party was a quarter of a mile farther up the 
wood, I turned to depart in search of them, and was in the very act of 
remounting when a door on my right was thrown open, and revealed Colonel 
Ashby himself, who could not conceal his surprise at seeing me standing 
before him.

   "Good God! Miss Belle, is this you? Where did you come from? Have you 
dropped from the clouds? or am I dreaming?"

   I first convinced him he was wide awake, and that my presence was 
substantial and of the earth - not a visionary emanation from the world of 
spirits - then, without farther circumlocution, I proceeded to narrate all 
I had overheard in the closet, of which I have before made mention. I gave 
him the cypher, and started on my return.

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   I arrived safely at my aunt's house, after a two hours' ride, in the 
course of which I "ran the blockade" of a sleeping sentry, who awoke to 
the sound of my horse's hoofs just in time to see me disappear round an 
abrupt turning, which shielded me from the bullet he was about to send 
after me. Upon getting home, I unsaddled my horse and "turned in" - if I 
may be permitted the expression, which is certainly expressive rather than 
refined - just as Aurora, springing from the rosy bed of Tithonus, began 
her pursuit of the flying hour; in plain English, just as day began to 
break.

   A few days afterwards General Shields marched south, laying a trap, as 
he supposed, to catch "poor old Jackson and his demoralized army," leaving 
behind him, to occupy Front Royal, one squadron of cavalry, one field 
battery, and the 1st Maryland Regiment of Infantry, under 

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command of Colonel Kenly; Major Tyndale, of Philadelphia, being appointed 
Provost- Marshal.

   My mother returned home, and it was arranged that I should remain with 
my grandmother until an opportunity of travelling south in safety should 
present itself. Within a few days after my mother's departure, my cousin 
Alice and I applied to Major Tyndale for a pass to Winchester. He at first 
declined to comply with our request, but afterwards relented, and promised 
to let us have the necessary passport on the following day. Accordingly, 
next morning, May 21st, my cousin one of the servants and myself were up 
betimes, and equipped for the journey, the carriage was at the door, but 
no passes made their appearance; and when we sent to inquire for the Major 
we were informed he had gone "out on a scout," 

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and would probably not be back until late at night. We were, of course, in 
great perplexity, when, to our relief, Lieutenant H., belonging to the 
squadron of cavalry stationed in the village, made his appearance and 
asked what was the matter.

   I explained our case and said -

   "Now, Lieutenant H., I know you have permission to go to Winchester, 
and you profess to be a great friend of mine: prove it by assisting me out 
of this dilemma, and pass us through the pickets."

   This I knew he could easily manage, as they were furnished from his own 
troop.

   After a few moments' hesitation, Lieutenant H. consented, little 
thinking of the consequences that were to ensue. He mounted the box, my 
cousin, myself, and the servant got inside, and off we set. 

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Shortly before we got to Winchester, Lieutenant H. got down from his seat 
with the intention of walking the rest of the way, as he had some business 
at the camp, which was close to the town.

   Finding we could not return the same day, we agreed to remain all night 
with some friends.

   Early next morning a gentleman of high social position came to the 
house at which we were staying, and handed me two packages of letters, 
with these words: - 

   "Miss Boyd, will you take these letters and send them through the lines 
to the Confederate army? This package," he added, pointing to one of them, 
"is of great importance: the other is trifling in comparison. This also," 
he went on to say, pointing to what appeared to be a little note, "is a 
very important paper: 

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try to send it carefully and safely to Jackson, or some other responsible 
Confederate officer. Do you understand?"

   "I do, and will obey your orders promptly and implicitly," I replied.

   As soon as the gentleman had left me I concealed the most important 
documents about the person of my negro servant, as I knew that 
"intelligent contrabands" - ladies and gentlemen of colour - were "non-
suspects," and had carte blanche to do what they pleased, and to go where 
they liked, without hindrance or molestation on the part of the Yankee 
authorities. The less important package I placed in a little basket, and 
unguardedly wrote upon the back of it the words, "Kindness of Lieutenant 
H."

   The small note upon which so much stress had been laid I resolved to 
carry with my own hands; and, knowing Colonel 

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Fillebrowne was never displeased by a little flattery and a few delicate 
attentions, I went to the florist and chose a very handsome bouquet, which 
I sent to him with my compliments, and with a request that he would be so 
kind as to permit me to return to Front Royal.(*)

   The Colonel's answer was in accordance with the politeness of his 
nature. He 

(* My readers must bear in mind that, in time of war, it is almost 
impossible to travel the slightest distance without a pass signed by some 
official. On one Occasion, when a picket was stationed between our farm-
yard and the dairy, the dairy-maid was not allowed to milk the cows 
without a pass signed by the officer of the day. This was a decided 
nuisance, and I hit upon the following plan to get rid of it. I wrote the 
following pass and got it duly signed: "These cows have permission to pass 
to and from the yard and dairy for the purpose of being milked twice a 
day, until further orders." This pass I pasted between the horns of one of 
the cows; and I was gratified to find it had the desired effect, for they 
were not again stopped on their harmless errand; and whenever my pass came 
off the head of the cow I took care to replace it by another in the same 
style.)

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thanked the "dear lady for so sweet a compliment," and enclosed the much-
coveted pass. Lieutenant H., having finished his business at the camp, 
rejoined our party, and we all set out on our return. Nothing happened 
until we reached the picket-lines, when two repulsive-looking fellows, who 
proved to be detectives, rode up, one on each side of the carriage.

   "We have orders to arrest you," said one of them, looking in at the 
window, and addressing himself to me.

   "For what?" I asked.

   "Upon suspicion of having letters," he replied; then, turning to the 
coachman, he ordered him to drive back forthwith to Colonel Beale's head-
quarters. Upon arriving there we were desired to get out and walk into the 
office.

   My cousin trembled like a poor bird caught in a snare; and, to tell the 
truth, 

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I felt very much discomposed myself, although I did not for a moment lose 
my presence of mind, upon the preservation of which I well knew our only 
hopes rested. The negress, almost paralyzed by fear, followed my cousin 
and myself, and it was in this order we were ushered into the awful 
presence of our inquisitor and judge.

   The first question asked was, had I any letters. I knew that if I said 
No, our persons would be immediately searched, and my falsehood detected; 
I therefore drew out from the bottom of the basket the package I had 
placed there, and which, it will be remembered, was of minor importance, 
and handed it, with a bow, to the Colonel.

   "What!" exclaimed he, in an angry tone - "what is this? 'Kindness of 
Lieutenant H.'! what does this mean? Is this all you have?"

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   "Look for yourself," I replied, turning the basket upside down, and 
emptying its contents upon the floor.

   "As to this scribbling on the letter," I continued, "it means nothing; 
it was a thoughtless act of mine. I assure you Lieutenant H. knew nothing 
about the letter, or that it was in my possession."

   The Lieutenant turned very pale, for it suddenly occurred to him that 
he had in his pocket a little package which I had asked him to carry for 
me.

   He immediately drew it out and threw it upon the table, when, to his 
consternation, and to the surprise of the Colonel, it was found to be 
inscribed with the very identical words - "Kindness of Lieutenant H." - 
which had already excited the suspicions of the Federal commander.

   This made matters worse; and when the package, upon being opened, 
disclosed 

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a copy of that decidedly rebel newspaper "The Maryland News-sheet," the 
Colonel entertained no further doubt of Lieutenant H.'s complicity and 
guilt.

   It was in vain I asserted his innocence, and repeated again and again 
that it was impossible he could know that a folded packet contained an 
obnoxious journal, and that it was highly improbable, to say the least of 
it, he could be an accomplice in my possession of the letter.

   "What is that you have in your hand?" was the only reply to my 
remonstrances and expostulations on behalf of the unfortunate officer I 
had so unintentionally betrayed.

   "What - this little scrap of paper? You can have it if you wish: it is 
nothing. Here it is;" and I approached nearer to him, with the seeming 
intention of placing it in his hand; but I had taken the resolution 

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of following the example set by Harvey Birch, in Cooper's well-known novel 
of "The Spy," in the event of my being positively commanded to "stand and 
deliver."

   Fortunately, however, for me, the Colonel's wrath was diverted from the 
guilty to the guiltless: he was so incensed with Lieutenant H. that he 
forgot the very existence of Belle Boyd, and the precious note was left in 
my possession.

   We were then and there dismissed, Colonel Beale contenting himself with 
giving a hurried order to the effect that I was to be closely watched. He 
then proceeded to the investigation of Lieutenant H.'s case. Bare 
suspicion was the worst that could be urged against him, yet, upon this 
doubtful evidence, or rather in the absence of anything like evidence, a 
court-martial, composed of officers of the Federal army, dismissed him 
from the service.

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   Some time after the adventure I have just related the secret of our 
arrest transpired.

   A servant had observed the gentleman to whom I have alluded give me the 
letter in my friend's house at Winchester. He gave information, and the 
result was, a telegram was sent to Major Tyndale, who was already incensed 
against me for having slipped through the pickets and got to Winchester 
without his pass. He communicated at once with Colonel Beale, and our 
arrest followed as I have described.

   Had it not been for the curious manner in which Lieutenant H. was 
involved in the affair, and in which that unoffending officer was so 
unjustly treated, very much to my regret, I should not have escaped so 
easily.



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CHAPTER VI.
My Prisoner - Battle of 23rd May - My Share in the Action - The Federals 
Fire upon me - The Little Note once more - The Confederates are 
Victorious - Letter from General Stonewall Jackson.

   AMONG the Federals who then occupied Front Royal was one Mr. Clark, a 
reporter to the "New York Herald," and, although an Irishman, by no means 
a gentleman.

   He was domiciled at head-quarters, which were established, as I have 
before mentioned, at my aunt's residence; and thus it was that I saw him 
daily, for we could not possibly get into the street without 

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crossing the court-yard and passing through the hall way.

   This Mr. Clark endeavoured upon several occasions to intrude his 
society upon me; and, although I told him plainly his advances were 
extremely distasteful, he persevered so far that I was forced more than 
once to bolt the door of the room in which my cousin and myself were 
seated, in his face.

   These rebuffs he never forgave, and from an intrusive friend he became 
an inveterate enemy. It is to him I am indebted for the first violent, 
undisguised abuse with which my name was coupled in any Federal journal; 
but I must do the editors of the Yankee newspapers the justice to admit 
they were not slow to follow the example set them by Mr. Clark. They 
seemed to think that to insult an innocent young girl was to prove their 
manhood 

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and evince their patriotism. I think my English readers will neither 
admire their taste nor applaud their spirit.

   On the evening of the 23rd May I was sitting at the window of our room, 
reading to my grandmother and cousin, when one of the servants rushed in, 
and shouted, or rather shrieked - 

   "Oh, Miss Belle, I t'inks de revels am a-comin', for de Yankees are a-
makin' orful fuss in de street."

   I immediately sprang from my seat and went to the door, and I then 
found that the servant's report was true. The streets were thronged with 
Yankee soldiers, hurrying about in every direction in the greatest 
confusion.

   I asked a Federal officer, who just then happened to be passing by, 
what was the matter. He answered that the Confederates were approaching 
the town in force, under 

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Generals Jackson and Ewell, that they had surprised and captured the 
outside pickets, and had actually advanced within a mile of the town, 
without the attack being even suspected.

   "Now," he added, "we are endeavouring to get the ordnance and the 
quartermaster's stores out of their reach."

   "But what will you do, "I asked, "with the stores in the large depot?"

   "Burn them, of course!"

   "But suppose the rebels come upon you too quickly?"

   "Then we will fight as long as we can by any possibility show a front, 
and in the event of defeat make good our retreat upon Winchester, burning 
the bridges as soon as we cross them, and finally effect a junction with 
General Banks' force."

   I parted with the Federal officer, and, returning to the house, I began 
to walk 

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quietly up-stairs, when suddenly I heard the report of a rifle, and almost 
at the same moment I encountered Mr. Clark, who, in his rapid descent from 
his room, very nearly knocked me down.

   "Great heavens! what is the matter?" he ejaculated, as soon as he had 
regained his breath, which the concussion and flight had deprived him of.

   "Nothing to speak of," said I; "only the rebels are coming, and you had 
best prepare yourself for a visit to Libby Prison."

   He answered not a word, but rushed back to his room and commenced 
compressing into as small a compass as possible all the manuscripts upon 
which he so much plumed himself, and upon which he relied for fame and 
credit with the illustrious journal to which he was contributor. It was 
his intention to collect and secure 

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these inestimable treasures, and then to skedaddle.(*)

   I immediately went for my opera-glasses, and, on my way to the balcony 
in front of the house, from which position I intended to reconnoitre, I 
was obliged to pass Mr. Clark's door. It was open, but the key was on the 
outside. The temptation of making a Yankee prisoner was too strong to be 
resisted, and, yielding to the impulse, I quietly locked in the "Special 
Correspondent" of the "New York Herald."

   After this feat I hurried to the balcony, and, by the aid of my 
glasses, descried the 

(* This American cant term is exactly rendered into English by the phrase 
"to hook it." Slang is now so well understood that I apprehend few of my 
readers require to be told that "to hook it" signifies to make off, to run 
away. Our Transatlantic expression can boast, I believe, of the earlier 
derivation. The meaning of , the root of which is skeda, was, I am told, 
understood in that early age in which were recorded the wrath of Achilles 
and the patriotism of Hector.)

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advance guard of the Confederates at the distance of about three-quarters 
of a mile, marching rapidly upon the town.

   To add to my anxiety, my father, who was at that time upon General 
Garnett's staff, was with them. My heart beat alternately with hope and 
fear. I was not ignorant of the trap the Yankees had set for my friends. I 
was in possession of much important information, which if I could only 
contrive to convey to General Jackson, I knew our victory would be secure. 
Without it I had every reason to anticipate defeat and disaster.

   The intelligence I was in possession of instructed me that General 
Banks was at Strasbourg with four thousand men, that the small force at 
Winchester could be readily reinforced by General White, who was at 
Harper's Ferry, and that Generals Shields and Geary were a short distance 

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below Front Royal, while Fremont was beyond the Valley; further, and this 
was the vital point, that it had been decided all these separate divisions 
should co-operate against General Jackson.

   I again went down to the door, and this time I observed, standing about 
in groups, several men who had always professed attachment to the cause of 
the South. I demanded if there was one among them who would venture to 
carry to General Jackson the information I possessed. They all with one 
accord said, "No, no. You go."

   I did not stop to reflect. My heart, though beating fast, was not 
appalled. I put on a white sun-bonnet, and started at a run down the 
street, which was thronged with Federal officers and men. I soon cleared 
the town and gained the open fields, which I traversed with unabated 

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speed, hoping to escape observation until such time as I could make good 
my way to the Confederate line, which was still rapidly advancing.

   I had on a dark blue dress,(*) with a little fancy white apron over it; 
and this contrast of colours, being visible at a great distance, made me 
far more conspicuous than was just then agreeable. The skirmishing between 
the outposts was sharp. The main forces of the opposing armies were 
disposed as follows: - 

   The Federals had placed their artillery upon a lofty eminence, which 
commanded the road by which the Confederates were advancing. Their 
infantry occupied in force the hospital buildings, which were of great 
size, and sheltered by which they kept up an incessant fire.

(* This dress was afterwards cut up into two shirts for two wounded 
Confederate soldiers.)

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   The Confederates were in line directly in front of the hospital, into 
which their artillerymen were throwing shells with deadly precision; for 
the Yankees had taken this as a shelter, and were firing upon the 
Confederate troops from the windows.

   At this moment the Federal pickets, who were rapidly falling back, 
perceived me still running as fast as I was able, and immediately fired 
upon me.

   My escape was most providential; for, although I was not hit, the rifle-
balls flew thick and fast about me, and more than one struck the ground so 
near my feet as to throw the dust in my eyes. Nor was this all: the 
Federals in the hospital seeing in what direction the shots of their 
pickets were aimed, followed the example and also opened fire upon me.

   Upon this occasion my life was spared 

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by what seemed to me then, and seems still, little short of a miracle; 
for, besides the numerous bullets that whistled by my ears, several 
actually pierced different parts of my clothing, but not one reached my 
body. Besides all this, I was exposed to a cross fire from the Federal and 
Confederate artillery, whose shot and shell flew whistling and hissing 
over my head.

   At length a Federal shell struck the ground within twenty yards of my 
feet; and the explosion, of course, sent the fragments flying, in every 
direction around me. I had, however, just time to throw myself flat upon 
the ground before the deadly engine burst; and again Providence spared my 
life.

   Springing up when the danger was passed, I pursued my career, still 
under a heavy fire. I shall never run again as I 

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ran on that, to me, memorable day. Hope, fear, the love of life, and the 
determination to serve my country to the last, conspired to fill my heart 
with more than feminine courage, and to lend preternatural strength and 
swiftness to my limbs. I often marvel and even shudder when I reflect how 
I cleared the fields and bounded over the fences with the agility of a 
deer.

   As I neared our line I waved my bonnet to our soldiers, to intimate 
that they should press forward, upon which one regiment, the 1st Maryland 
"rebel" Infantry, and Hay's Louisiana Brigade, gave me a loud cheer, and, 
without waiting for further orders, dashed upon the town at a rapid pace.

   They did not then know who I was, and they were naturally surprised to 
see a woman on the battle-field, and on a spot, too, where the fire was so 
hot. Their shouts 

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of approbation and triumph rang in my ears for many a day afterwards, and 
I still hear them not unfrequently in my dreams.

   At this juncture the main body of the Confederates was hidden from my 
view by a slight elevation which intervened between me and them. My heart 
almost ceased to beat within me; for the dreadful thought arose in my mind 
that our force must be too weak to be any match for the Federals, and that 
the gallant men who had just been applauding me were rushing upon a 
certain and fruitless death. I accused myself of having urged them to 
their fate; and now, quite overcome by fatigue and by the feelings which 
tormented me, I sank upon my knees and offered a short but earnest prayer 
to God.

   Then I felt as if my supplication was answered, and that I was inspired 
with fresh spirits and a new life. Not only 

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despair, but fear also forsook me; and I had again no thought but how to 
fulfill the mission I had already pursued so far.

   I arose from my kneeling posture, and had proceeded but a short 
distance, when, to my unspeakable, indescribable joy, I caught sight of 
the main body fast approaching; and soon an old friend and connection of 
mine, Major Harry Douglas, rode up, and, recognising me, cried out, while 
he seized my hand -

   "Good God, Belle, you here! what is it?"

   "Oh, Harry," I gasped out, "give me time to recover my breath."

   For some seconds I could say no more; but, as soon as I had 
sufficiently recovered myself, I produced the "little note," and told him 
all, urging him to hurry on the cavalry, with orders to them to seize the 

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bridges before the retreating Federals should have time to destroy them.

   He instantly galloped off to report to General Jackson, who immediately 
rode forward, and asked me if I would have an escort and a horse wherewith 
to return to the village. I thanked him, and said, "No; I would go as I 
came;" and then, acting upon the information I had been spared to convey, 
the Confederates gained a most complete victory.

   Though the depot building had been fired, and was burning, our cavalry 
reached the bridges barely in time to save them from destruction: the 
retreating Federals had just crossed, and were actually upon the point of 
lighting the slow match which, communicating with the bursting charge, 
would have riven the arches in pieces. So hasty was their retreat that 
they left all their killed and wounded in our hands.

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   Although we lost many of our best and bravest - among others the 
gallant Captain Sheetes, of Ashby's cavalry, who fell leading a brilliant 
and successful charge upon the Federal infantry - the day was ours; and I 
had the heartfelt satisfaction to know that it was in consequence of the 
information I had conveyed at such risk to myself General Jackson made the 
flank movement which led to such fortunate results.

   And here let me pause a moment to do justice to the memory of a brave 
enemy, Colonel Kenly, who commanded the Federals, and who fought at their 
head with the courage of desperation, until he fell mortally wounded.

   The Confederates, following up theirs victory crossed the river by the 
still standing bridges, and pushed on by the road which led to Winchester.

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   General Banks was startled from his lair at Strasbourg, and, leaving 
everything but his own head and a handful of cavalry behind him, with the 
Victorious Confederates in hot pursuit, rushed through Winchester and 
Martinsburg, and finally crossed the river at Williamsport, Maryland; and 
it is said that he and his command have never stopped running since.

   During this hasty flight General Banks halted for a few minutes to take 
breath in the main street of Martinsburg. Upon the side-walk were standing 
many children and young girls, among whom was my little sister.

   One of these girls, recognising General Banks aide-de-camp, walked up 
to him and said - 

   "Captain, how long are you going to stay here?"

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   "Until Gabriel blows his horn," replied he.

   To this mistimed vaunt my sister quietly rejoined, looking full in his 
face as she spoke -

   "Ah, Captain, if you were to hear Jackson's horn just outside the town, 
you would not wait for Gabriel's."

   Nor did they wait; for the echo of the Confederate General's bugles had 
little less terror for them than the sound of the archangel's trump.

   When I first returned from the battlefield, tired, or, to say the 
truth, utterly enervated and exhausted, the Confederates were filing 
through the town, and the enthusiastic hurrahs with which they greeted me 
did more than anything else could have done to revive my drooping spirits 
and restore my failing powers. The dead and wounded were now being 

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brought in, and our house soon became a hospital.

   Notwithstanding my fatigue, I contrived to render some assistance in 
dressing the wounds and alleviating the sufferings of our poor soldiers, 
who consoled themselves in their agonies with the reflection that they had 
done their duty nobly, and that their pangs were not embittered by the 
sting and remorse with which defeat always torments a true soldier.

   Among the dead who were brought next day to our house for interment 
were Captains Sheetes, Baxter, and Thaxter, all of Ashby's cavalry, and 
Major Davis, of Louisiana.

   To my great joy my father came safer out of the battle, with but a very 
slight wound in the leg.

   All the Federals left in Front Royal were captured; among them my 
particular 

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friend Mr. Clark, who, upon endeavouring to leave his room unseen during 
the confusion, found himself locked in.

   I afterwards heard an amusing account of the manner in which he 
extricated himself by letting himself down from the window; this, however, 
was unfortunately a work of time, and the delay was the cause of his 
capture. He was being escorted a prisoner down the street, when, catching 
sight of me as I stood upon the door-step, he shouted out - 

   "I'll make you rue this: it's your doing that I am a prisoner here."

   During the battle, and while Colonel Fillebrowne was preparing to 
remove his effects from Winchester, a gentleman of high social position 
and Southern proclivities stepped into his office and said, "Colonel, how 
on earth did you get into such a trap? Did you know nothing of 

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the advance of the Confederates?" Colonel Fillebrowne turned, and, 
pointing to the bouquet I had sent him only a day or two before, he said, 
"That bouquet did all the mischief: the donor of that gift is responsible 
for all this misfortune."

   I could not but be aware that I had been of some service to my country; 
and I had the further satisfaction of feeling that neither a desire of 
fame nor notoriety had been my motive for enacting the role I did in this 
sad drama. I was not prepared, however, for that recognition of my 
services which was received on the very day they were rendered, and which 
I here transcribe: -

"May 23rd, 1862. 

"MISS BELLE BOYD, 
   "I thank you, for myself and for the army, for the immense service that 
you have rendered your country to-day.

"Hastily, I am your Friend, 
"T. J. JACKSON, C.S.A." 

Page 143

   This short note, which was written at Mr. Richards' house, very near 
Front Royal, was brought to me by a courier, and I am free to confess I 
value it far beyond anything I possess in the world.

   The object General Jackson had in view was too important to admit of 
his leaving behind him an adequate force for the protection of Front 
Royal; one regiment, the 12th Georgia Infantry, was all that could be 
spared; and thus Front Royal was retaken by the Federals just one week 
after its brilliant capture by our troops.

   During our short possession of the town there was, among the prisoners 
taken in the pursuit beyond the river and sent back into our custody, a 
woman who represented herself to be the wife of a soldier belonging to the 
Michigan cavalry. She was handed over to me, and I 

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furnished her with clothing, and did all that lay in my power to make her 
comfortable and happy.

   Upon the arrival of the Federals, under General Geary, most of the 12th 
Georgia were taken prisoners, together with all the sick and wounded.

   The woman of whom I have just spoken was of course liberated, and the 
first use she made of her freedom was to report me to General Kimball as a 
most dangerous rebel, and a malignant enemy to the Federal Government.

   The General immediately placed me under arrest, and surrounded our 
house with sentries, so that to escape was actually impossible. Within a 
few hours, however, after my incarceration General Shields arrived, and, 
being senior in the service to General Kimball, naturally superseded him 
in the command of the army. He at 

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once released me, and I thank him for his urbanity and kindness.

   Rumours soon reached us to the effect that the Confederate army was 
retreating up the Valley, and once more all this portion of the country 
fell into the hands of the Yankees.



Page 146

CHAPTER VII.
Tone of the Northern Press towards me - General Banks refuses to pass me 
south - How I procure Passes - The two Confederate Soldiers - I write to 
"Stonewall Jackson" - Novel method of conveying Information - My Letter is 
Intercepted - I am warned to depart south without delay - I prepare to 
leave.

   THE Northern journals vied with one another in publishing the most 
extravagant and improbable accounts of my exploits, as they were pleased 
to term them, on the battle-field of the 23rd May.

   One ascribed to "Belle Boyd" the honour of having directed the fire of 
the 

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Confederate artillery throughout the action; another represented her as 
having, by the force of her genius, sustained the wavering counsels of the 
Southern generals; while a third described her as having, sword in hand, 
led on the whole of the attacking line to the capture of Front Royal; but 
as I believe that the veracity of the Yankee press is pretty well known 
and appreciated, I shall give no more extracts from their eloquent pages.

   At the conclusion of the last chapter I mentioned that General Shields 
released me front the arrest under which General Kimball had placed me, 
upon the report of the ungrateful ci-devant prisoner; and, after a short 
time, finding no further persecution was resorted to, I thought the 
opportunity favourable for making an attempt to get south.

   Meanwhile General Banks had returned. 

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and encamped close to the town, making my aunt's house his head-quarters.

   It was to him, therefore, I applied for permission to depart.

   "Where do you wish to go?" he asked.

   "To Louisiana, where my aunt resides."

   "But what will Virginia do without you?"

   "What do you mean, General?"

   "We always miss our bravest and most illustrious, and how can your 
native State do without you?"

   I laughingly thanked him for the compliment, and he conversed with the 
utmost good nature and pleasantry upon the part that I had taken in his 
recent defeat. Though a rabid Abolitionist, the General was certainly one 
of the most affable gentlemen I have ever met.

   Several weeks passed by in peace and quiet, unmarked by any incident 
worthy of 

Page 149

record, and at the expiration of this period Front Royal was again 
evacuated by the Federal troops, with the exception of the 3rd Delaware 
Infantry, which corps was left in garrison. Their colonel was a very 
large, coarse man, with the manners and appearance of a butcher rather 
than of an officer.

   On the other hand, Major McEnnis and Lieutenant Preston, who officiated 
severally as Provost and Assistant-Provost Marshal, were upon all 
occasions not only courteous, but kind, the natural consequence of which 
behaviour was that they were both highly respected and esteemed by us 
"rebels."

   In the court-yard of the General's head-quarters, and at a few yards 
only from our cottage, they had pitched a flag tent, which served the 
purposes of their office, and here it was that all passes for the South 
were granted or refused, as the case might be. 

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How many of these were procured upon false pretences and transferred to 
recruits on their way to join the Southern army, or by whom this ingenious 
ruse was practiced, I shall not here say.

   I was one morning sitting in the drawing-room, when I noticed two men, 
dressed as Confederate soldiers, standing near the Provost-Marshal's tent. 
At my request my grandmother sent for the Major, who obeyed her summons 
without loss of time.

   We asked him who the men were. He told us they were paroled Confederate 
soldiers procuring passes to go south. We then asked if they might be 
permitted to dine with us, and received a ready assent. In the meantime 
they had disappeared, but one of them shortly reappearing, I accosted him 
thus: - 

   "Won't you dine with us? the Major says you may."

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   "With pleasure, if you dine shortly I have only two or three hours 
allowed me to get beyond the pickets."

   "Poor fellow!" said I; "but I am glad that you will soon be free. Won't 
you take a letter from me to General Jackson?"

   Upon his assenting to this request, I went off towards my own room to 
write my despatch; but, as I was passing by the kitchen door, one of the 
servants stopped me suddenly, and exclaimed - 

   "Miss Belle! who's dat man yose a-talkin' to?"

   "I know no more about him than that he is a paroled rebel soldier going 
South."

   "Miss Belle, dat man ain't no rebel: I seen him 'mong de Yankees in de 
street. If he is got Secesh clothes on, he ain't no Secesh. Can't fool 
Betsy dat way. Dat 

Page 152

man's a spy - dat man's a spy. Please God, he am."

   I, however, entertained a different opinion from that of the negro 
woman, so I persevered in my intention, and wrote a long friendly letter 
to General Jackson. At the same time I introduced a great deal of valuable 
information concerning the Yankees, the state of their army, their 
movements and doings, and matters of a like nature.

   Disregarding the warning voice of my sable Cassandra, I fancied the man 
was true and might be safely trusted; so as soon as dinner was finished I 
called him aside and confided the letter to him, with these words: -

   "Will you promise me faithfully, upon the honour of a soldier, to take 
the utmost care of this, and deliver it safe to General Jackson? They tell 
me you are a spy, but I do not believe it."

Page 153

   He, of course, denied the soft impeachment, and swore, by all the host 
of heaven, to execute my commission with fidelity and despatch.

   Reader, conceive my feelings when, shortly after this man's departure, 
one of the officers came in and informed me that he was a spy, and was on 
his way to the Confederate Lines at Harrisburg.

   I immediately set about to rectify my unfortunate error, and, after 
some reflection, I decided upon the following expedient: - 

   I sat down and wrote Major Harry Gilmore, of the Confederate cavalry, a 
few lines, giving an accurate account of the man's personal appearance, 
and explaining the motive and circumstances of his journey south, and by 
what means I had been entrapped into trusting him with at letter for 
General Jackson. This note I 

Page 154

despatched by a conveyance to which we rebels had given the name of "the 
underground railway."

   The locomotive on this railway was an old negro, and the mail-car was 
an enormous silver watch from which the works had been extracted. I sent 
off my train, with orders that if, in passing the pickets, any one should 
inquire the time of day, the answer must be that the imposing looking 
timepiece was out of order and had ceased to mark the hours and minutes.

   Our friend the spy, however, went neither to Harrisburg nor to General 
Jackson, but made his way straight to the Federal General Siegel and gave 
him my letter. The General, in his turn, forwarded it to Stanton, the 
Secretary-at-War, who, I make no doubt, still retains it in his possession.

Page 155

   The fate of the spy, like that of so many of his fraternity, was 
tragic. He was soon after detected in the pursuit of his calling on the 
Rappahannock, and hanged. My readers, perhaps, may think I ought to 
congratulate myself upon having hitherto escaped a similar fate.

   Shortly after this adventure an officer came and told me that further 
misconduct on my part might bring down upon me the severest punishment, 
and hinted that the Yankees, once thoroughly incensed, would not hesitate 
at the perpetration of any atrocity.

   Entertaining these views, he recommended my immediate departure; and 
this kind advice meeting with the approval of my grandmother, I gave my 
consent, and immediately my maid had orders to prepare for a journey to 
Richmond. It was on a Tuesday that the 

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officer promised to get a pass, and we were to be sent through the lines 
on the next ensuing Thursday. But Fate had ordained otherwise.