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



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CHAPTER I.
I leave for Fortress Monroe - I am not permitted to see my Father - 
Interview with General Butler - My Luggage undergoes an examination - Much 
of my Property is confiscated - General Jackson's Field-glasses - My 
Letters of Introduction almost get me into Trouble - Kindness of Major 
Mulford and his Wife - General Butler attempts to re-capture me - The bird 
is flown, and to his chagrin, as I afterwards learn - Ascending the James 
River - The French Corvette - The Mirage - Arrival in Richmond.

   ON the first day of December, early in the 

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morning, I started for Fortress Monroe, under the charge of Captain Mix 
and an orderly-sergeant. It was my poor father's intention to have 
accompanied me as far as Baltimore, and beyond, if he could get the 
necessary permission. Just before I left, however, a message was brought 
to me stating that my father, though not dangerously ill, was confined to 
the house by severe indisposition.

   When I heard that I could not see my fond parent, it distressed me 
greatly; but I was powerless to act in the matter; and, though I entreated 
them to let me go to him, if but for a moment, it was refused.

   After being subjected to the annoying and ungentlemanly conduct of 
Captain Mix, who seemed to exert himself especially to make everything as 
disagreeable as he possibly 

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could for me, I arrived in Fortress Monroe about 9 a.m. on Wednesday 
morning. Captain Mix immediately went on shore to report to Captain 
Cassels, the Provost-Marshal and aide-de-camp to Butler, to whose care I 
was to be committed until the "exchange boat" should start for Richmond.

   Meanwhile all the passengers had landed, and I was left in the charge 
of the orderly- sergeant. Major (now General) Mulford, the exchange 
officer, returned on board with Captain Mix, and was introduced to me. I 
found him an elegant and courteous gentleman. In a short time I was 
escorted from the boat to the Provost-Marshal's office, passing between a 
company of negro soldiers, who were filed on each side. Thence I was taken 
into the fortress, to Butler's head-quarters, and, after waiting a 

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short time, I was conducted into his august presence.

   He was seated near a table, and, upon my entrance, he looked up and 
said, "Ah, so this is Miss Boyd, the famous rebel spy. Pray be seated."

   "Thank you, General Butler, but I prefer to stand.

   I was very much agitated, and trembled greatly. This he noticed, and 
remarked, "Pray be seated. But why do you tremble so? Are you frightened?"

   "No; ah! that is, yes, General Butler; I must acknowledge that I do 
feel frightened in the presence of a man of such world-wide reputation as 
yourself."

   This seemed to please him immensely, and, rubbing his hands together 
and smiling most benignly, he said, "Oh, pray do be seated, Miss Boyd. But 
what do you 

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mean when you say that I am widely known?"

   "I mean, General Butler," I said, "that you are a man whose atrocious 
conduct and brutality, especially to Southern ladies, is so infamous that 
even the English Parliament commented upon it. I naturally feel alarmed at 
being in your presence."

   He had evidently expected a compliment when I commenced to reply to his 
inquiry, but, at the close of my remarks, he rose, and, with rage depicted 
upon every lineament of his features, he ordered me out of his presence.

   I was conducted to the hotel, and felt for the time being exceedingly 
uneasy lest by my Parthian shot at an enemy whom I thoroughly detested, I 
should have laid myself open to his petty spirit of revenge. I feared that 
I should be remanded to a 

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dreary prison cell; for General Butler was all-powerful in the North about 
this period.

   Events have since clearly proved this man, even to the Yankees 
themselves, to be but a meretricious hero and a political charlatan. Like 
others who render themselves rather notorious than great, he first pleased 
a fickle populace by his acts of brutality, then disgusted his 
contemporaries, who feared that he might become to America what 
Robespierre had been to France. The tyrant of New Orleans, having failed 
most signally at Wilmington, was discovered to be a coward, and suspected 
of being a rogue. Well might the baffled New England attorney exclaim, 
"Facilis descensus Averni!" In the hope of being styled a modern 
Cincinnatus, he retired to Lowell, to live upon the ill-gotten 

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gains extorted by threats or force from Southern people.

   But to resume the thread of my story. I was obliged to give my parole 
that I would not leave the house until permitted to do so. Here I found 
the Misses Lomax, sisters of the Confederate General Lomax, and a Miss 
Goldsborough, of Baltimore, who were to be sent south. These ladies, 
however, were not the only Confederate sympathizers in the hotel; there 
were others whose names I dare not mention.

   On Wednesday evening the order came for Miss Goldsborough and myself to 
be in readiness to start that same night for Richmond. The Misses Lomax, 
for some reason, were not allowed to proceed, but were sent back to 
Baltimore. When the time arrived for our departure, we were taken back to 

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the Provost-Marshal's office; and here I found my luggage, consisting of 
two Saratoga trunks and a bonnet-box. The keys were demanded of me, and I 
complied with the request.

   A man and two women immediately set to work to ransack my boxes, 
although I assured them that they need not search, as I had just come from 
prison. This appeal, however, was ineffectual, and they still continued 
their examination. Imagine their astonishment and my chagrin when they 
pulled from the bottom of one of my trunks two suits of private clothes, a 
uniform for Major-General W-- , a dozen linen shirts, &c. These things I 
had succeeded in smuggling into prison by means of an underground railway, 
of which Superintendent Wood, sharp as he imagined himself to be, was 
little aware. I was interrogated as to 

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how I had obtained the articles in question, but they did not succeed in 
eliciting anything by their queries.

   All the goods considered contraband, including several pairs of army 
gauntlets and felt hats, with a pair of field-glasses which had formerly 
belonged to General Jackson, and which I greatly prized, together with 
much clothing, were taken from me. I entreated them to let me retain the 
glasses; but this was flatly refused; and they were, to my mortification, 
given to General Butler.

   When I saw how these Vandals were robbing me of nearly everything, I 
strove in vain to restrain my tears; and my trunks having been thoroughly 
ransacked, I was informed that I must undergo a personal search. At this 
turn of affairs I began to feel very nervous, for I had 

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concealed about me twenty thousand dollars in Confederate notes, five 
thousand in green-backs and nearly one thousand in gold, as well as the 
letters of introduction which I have previously mentioned. I earnestly 
appealed to their forbearance, assuring them that I had nothing 
contraband; for I did not consider my money contraband.

   As it was getting late, the captain said, "Well, if you will take an 
oath to the effect that you have nothing contraband upon you - no letters 
or papers - you shall not be searched."

   As this was impossible, I told him that I could not make such a 
declaration, handing him my letters at the same time. He then asked if I 
had any money about me. To this I replied by giving him a roll of two or 
three thousand dollars in 

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Confederate money, which I had placed in my pocket. This he regarded as 
valueless, and sneeringly informed me that I might keep "that stuff."

   Upon opening my letters and finding mention of "my immense services to 
my country," "my kindness towards prisoners," "my devotion to the Southern 
cause," &c., he became very angry, and said, "I shall send this to General 
Butler in the morning. I would do so now, but it is after office hours."

   Miss Goldsborough sat by meanwhile, a quiet spectator of the whole 
affair, she having undergone the ordeal of search in the morning. We were 
then conducted to the wharf, placed on board a tug, and sent off to the 
exchange boat, the City of New York, which lay at anchor in the stream. 
Upon our arrival on board we 

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were kindly received by Major Mulford, who conducted us to the saloon and 
introduced us to his wife, a very charming, lady-like woman. Here we 
remained all night, and next morning, about seven o'clock, got under way. 
Shortly afterwards we ran aground, and it was not until 8 a.m. that we 
succeeded in getting the vessel off again. Then, under a full head of 
steam we steered for City Point.

   About this time the little steam-tug that had brought us alongside the 
City of New York quitted the wharf, apparently in chase of us. My heart 
sank, for I felt intuitively that this pursuit had something to do with 
me, and that General Butler must have given an order for my detention. But 
the larger steamer had already waited so long that Major Mulford, angry 
and impatient at the delay, took no notice of our pursuers, 

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and, to my great joy and relief, kept steadily on our course.

   I afterwards learnt that my fears upon this occasion were not 
unfounded. When General Butler, smarting with the remembrance of my 
farewell sarcasm, had beheld the letters that Captain Cassels had taken 
from me, he commanded that I should be followed, and, if re-captured, 
should be sent at once to Fort Warren, in Massachusetts Bay. As he issued 
this order he remarked to those who surrounded him that he would take "a 
leading character in 'Beauty and the Beast.' " When the tug returned from 
her fruitless chase, he was almost beside himself with rage at being 
thwarted in his revenge. This I had from such good authority that I am 
confident the General will not feel it worth his while to contradict the 
statement.

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   At the mouth of the James River we passed the Federal blockading fleet, 
and were here boarded by a boat from the flagship Minnesota, commanded by 
Admiral Lee. In a few moments we had entered the James, whose waters are 
distinguishable from those of the Potomac by a yellow streak which appears 
on the surface.

   As we wended our way up the river we could see the signal-officers at 
the different stations busily announcing our approach, and occasionally we 
observed Confederate soldiers on picket duty. Everything reminded me that 
I was once more drawing near to the capital of my own sunny South.

"Amate sponde! 
 Pur vi torno a riveder, 
 Trema in petto e si confonde 
 L'alma oppressa dal piacer." 

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   Though exceedingly happy that I was again permitted to breathe the pure 
air of my native State, I did not feel completely free, for I was still 
under the Federal Hag, and could scarcely count upon my liberty as being 
yet fully assured to me.

   We arrived at City Point late on Friday evening. This place, which 
could hardly be correctly dignified with the name of village, is situate 
in a bend of the river. It was used as a dépôt by the Confederates, for 
the purpose of forwarding stores to those of their unfortunate countrymen 
who were prisoners in the North.

   Whilst the City of New York coming to an anchor, Major Mulford, his 
wife, Miss Goldsborough, and myself stood conversing on the hurricane-
deck. Major Mulford remarked, pointing to what was apparently the 
Confederate flag-of-truce boat 

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approaching, "After all, ladies, you will not have to remain on board here 
to-night."

   Looking in the direction indicated, we distinctly saw a steamer, which, 
judging from the distance between us, would in less than ten minutes be 
alongside. Ten minutes, however, passed in fruitless expectation; then 
followed twenty more of hope deferred; when Major Mulford, who began to 
grow very impatient, went on shore to inquire the reason of her remaining 
as she did - he even sent a boat to her to ascertain the reason of her 
detention. Major Mulford was so confident that he had seen her that the 
Confederate officer commanding the "Point" telegraphed the news to 
Richmond. Judge of our great surprise when the telegraphic reply, brought 
to us on board shortly afterwards, announced "that the 

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Confederate flag-of-truce boat had left Richmond exactly at the hour we 
had seen her." As Richmond was more than twelve hours distant from us at 
the then rate of travel over that route, we could only consider that we 
had been deceived by a "mirage." How often must such phenomena have given 
rise to stories of phantom ships!

   A French corvette, which had been up the river to Richmond, lay at 
anchor near us. This evening, in acceptance of an invitation from Major 
Mulford, the French captain and his lieutenant came on board to spend the 
evening with us; and we enjoyed their visit heartily. The next morning, 
when I awoke, I found that the flag-of-truce boat had arrived during the 
night. Captain Hatch, the Confederate exchange officer, presently came on 
board. 

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We were introduced to him and very soon afterwards were, with our luggage, 
safely ensconced in the snug little cabin of the --. Here, under my own 
country's flag, I felt free and comparatively happy.

   On our way up the river to Richmond we had to pass the obstructions 
situated between Chapin's and Drury's Bluffs. These places take their 
names from the bold appearance that the shore here presents. The 
obstructions designed to impede a hostile squadron became accidentally 
hurtful to our Confederate vessel. She ran foul of them, and it was found 
utterly impossible to continue the voyage.

   At Drury's Bluff, therefore, we went on board a tug, in which we 
proceeded to Richmond. When we arrived, at 8 p.m., I went immediately to 
the Spottswood 

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House, and, tired and worn out with the fatigues of my journey, I retired 
to rest, refusing to see any one that evening.



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CHAPTER II.
Kind reception at Richmond - I hear of my Father's Death - Efforts of my 
Friends to procure my Return Home - I go from Richmond further south - 
Kindness of friends during my Illness - I am made bearer of Despatches-
Departure from Richmond - Too late for the Coquette - I take passage in 
the Greyhound.

   WHEN I came down to breakfast on the following day, my many 
acquaintances and friends in the hotel were astonished to see me, for few 
had expected that I should be released, and none that I should so soon 

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arrive at Richmond. The morning papers announced my return in flattering 
terms; and, as it thus became generally known, I was at once besieged with 
company, and every afternoon and evening I held a perfect drawing-room, if 
I may be allowed to make use of the expression. My reception was 
everything that I could wish; but, alas! my happiness was of short 
duration, and my freedom was dearly bought.

   I was at a large dinner-party on a Saturday evening exactly one week 
after the day I had arrived. I was joyous and lighthearted, little 
dreaming of the blow that was to overwhelm me with sadness - little 
dreaming that I should be so cruelly reminded of the words of the Preacher 
that "in the midst of life we are in death;" but so it was.

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   On Monday morning, the 14th, before I had risen, I received a little 
note from Captain Hatch, in which he expressed great sorrow at having to 
be the bearer of mournful tidings, and said that, as soon as I was 
dressed, he would call in person with the wife of the proprietor of the 
hotel. For one moment I could not imagine what he meant, but, dressing 
myself as speedily as I possibly could, I sent for them. They came: 
Captain Hatch held in his hands a newspaper. He approached me, saying -

   "Miss Belle, you are aware that you left your father ill?"

   In one moment I comprehended everything, and exclaiming "My God! is he 
dead?" I sank fainting to the floor.

   This swoon was succeeded by severe illness; and I felt all the 
loneliness of 

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my position. An exile (for the Yankees held possession of Martinsburg and 
an orphan - these words described me; and ah! how hard they seemed!

   One of those strange warnings that are sometimes given to mortals, or 
that are, some would say, the imaginings of an excited brain shaken by 
sickness, ought to have prepared me for my sad bereavement.

"Some say that gleams of a remoter world 
 Visit the soul in sleep." 

   The night upon which my father died I had retired to rest somewhat 
earlier than usual. How long I slept I do not know, but I suddenly awoke, 
or seemed to awaken, from my sleep, although I had neither the power nor 
the wish to move. In the centre of the room I saw General Jackson, whose 

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eyes rested sorrowfully upon me. Beside him stood my father, gazing at me, 
but saying nothing. I was dumb, or I should have spoken, for I did not 
feel alarmed. As I looked upon those two standing together, General 
Jackson turned and spoke to my father. I remember the words distinctly.

   "It is time for us to go," he said; and, taking my father's hand, he 
led him away, adding as he did so, "Poor child!"

   I afterwards learnt by a letter from my mother (the first and only 
communication received from her until my arrival in this country) that my 
beloved father, at the news of my being sent south, where I should have to 
battle alone with the world, had grown rapidly worse, and had expired the 
very next day after my arrival in Richmond. 

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My mother and the children had been sent for, and reached my father just 
before he died. Although he retained his senses up to the last, he 
frequently spoke of me, declared that I was hovering around his couch, and 
would become quite restless if people in the room went to a certain spot 
near the bed, exclaiming that "I was being torn from him!"

   Several of our senators and exchange officers, with many other 
influential persons, wrote to the Federal Government to try and obtain 
permission for me to return to my sorrowing mother. I myself wrote to the 
Northern President and Secretary Stanton, at the suggestion of my friends, 
and appealed to them as a Mason's daughter. But no, every appeal was 
refused.

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   My letters to and from my mother in Martinsburg were intercepted; and 
from December the 16th until I arrived in London, and then not until the 
following October, did I receive one line from her, though she had written 
repeatedly.

   My health was very bad and my constitution greatly undermined; so in 
February I went from Richmond farther south, visiting Mobile, Atlanta, 
Augusta, and other cities whose names have since become historical.

   I cannot express one half the gratitude that I feel to the many kind 
hosts whom I met in my journey through the South. During my illness in 
Richmond I was well cared for; and amongst the warmest of my friends must 
be ranked the wife of the world-renowned Captain Semmes 

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(afterwards Admiral Semmes), of the ill-fated Alabama.

   Mrs. Semmes treated me with as much attention as though I had been her 
own daughter, and invited me to visit them at their home in Mobile. I had 
always been termed "the child of the Confederacy," or "the child of the 
army;" and, no matter where I went, I was welcomed both by the gentry and 
the people.

   In March I returned to Richmond, when, although somewhat recovered, my 
health still required care. I could not return home, and I felt, moreover, 
restless and unhappy at the death of my father. I determined, therefore, 
to visit Europe so soon as I could arrange my affairs. When I made known 
this resolution to President Davis, he approved of the plan, considering 

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me to need quiet and rest in some place remote from the dangers of our 
sorely pressed country.

   Orders were given to the Confederate Secretary of State to make me the 
bearer of despatches. I commenced preparations for departure as speedily 
as possible.

   The despatches were ready for me on March 25th, but a brief return of 
illness hindered me from starting, and, as these papers, being very 
important, could not be delayed, they were forwarded by some other hand.

   At last, on March 29th, I was able to leave Richmond, having recovered 
sufficiently for travelling. Other despatches were now ready, and of them 
I was made the bearer.

   Owing to an accident on the railway, 

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we did not arrive in Wilmington until several hours after the departure of 
the blockade-runner in which I was to have sailed.

   This steamer would not be followed by another for at least a fortnight, 
because they did not run out during the brilliant nights of the full moon, 
lest they should fall an easy prey to Yankee blockaders. I was therefore 
obliged to await the arrival and departure of the next regular steamer, 
as, even putting aside all consideration of difficulties increased by 
moonlight, there was not a suitable craft in port.

   One of the first vessels that arrived was the Greyhound, commanded by 
Captain "Henry," formerly, it is said, an officer in the United States 
navy, and who had, at the commencement of the war, with 

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many of his comrades, sent in his resignation to the United States Navy 
Department, and entered the Confederate service. Captain "Henry" had 
formerly been on "Stonewall" Jackson's staff; and, as I was acquainted 
with his family, I gladly accepted his kind invitation, and took passage 
on board the Greyhound, feeling doubly secure under such a skilful 
commander.



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CHAPTER III.
I leave Wilmington for Europe - Running the Blockade - Safe outside - Mal 
de mer - The Federal Cruiser - The Chase - The Yankee proves too fast - 
The first Shell - The Fire grows hot - Forced to surrender - The English 
Sailor and his Flag.

   ON the 8th of May I bade farewell to many friends in Wilmington and 
stepped on board the Greyhound. It was, as may well be imagined, an 
anxious moment. I knew that the venture was a desperate one; but I felt 
sustained by the greatness 

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of my cause; for I had borne a part, however insignificant, in one of the 
greatest dramas ever yet enacted upon the stage of the world; moreover, I 
relied upon my own resources, and I looked to Fortune, who is so often the 
handmaid of a daring enterprise.

   At the mouth of the river we dropped anchor, and decided to wait until 
the already waning moon should entirely disappear.

   Outside the bar, and at the distance of about six miles, lay the 
Federal fleet, most of them at anchor; but some of their lighter vessels 
were cruising quietly in different directions. Not one, however, showed 
any disposition to tempt the guns of the fort over which the Confederate 
flag was flying.

   There were on board the Greyhound two 

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passengers, or rather adventurers, besides myself - Mr. Newell and Mr. 
Pollard, the latter the editor of the "Richmond Examiner." We laughed and 
joked, as people will laugh and joke in the face of imminent danger, and 
even in the jaws of death.

   Gentle reader, before you accuse us of levity, or of a reckless spirit 
of fatalism, reflect how, in the prison of La Force, when the reign of 
terror was at its height, the doomed victims of the guillotine acted 
charades, played games of forfeits, and circulated their bon mots and jeux 
d'esprit within a few hours of a violent death. Remember also that the 
lovely Queen of Scots and the unfortunate Anne Boleyn met their fate with 
a smile, and greeted the scaffold with a jest.

   About ten o'clock orders were given to 

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get under way. The next minute every light was extinguished, the anchor 
was weighed, steam was got up rapidly and silently, and we glided off just 
as "the trailing garments of the night" spread their last folds over the 
ocean!

   The decks were piled with bales of cotton, upon which our look-out men 
were stationed, straining their eyes to pierce the darkness and give 
timely notice of the approach of an enemy.

   I freely confess that our jocose temperament had now yielded to a far 
more serious state of feeling. No more pleasantries were exchanged, but 
many earnest prayers were breathed. No one thought of sleep. Few words 
were spoken. It was a night never to be forgotten - a night of silent, 
almost breathless, anxiety. It seemed to us as if day would never break; 

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but it came at last, and, to our unspeakable joy, not a sail was in sight. 
We were moving unmolested and alone upon a tranquil sea, and we indulged 
in the fond hope that we had eluded our eager foes.

   Steaming on, we ran close by the wreck of the Confederate iron-clad 
Raleigh, which had so lately driven the Federal blockading squadron out to 
sea, but which now lay on a shoal, an utter wreck, parted amidships, 
destroyed, not by the Federals, but by a visitation of Providence.

   At this point we three passengers began to experience those sensations 
which, although invariably an object of derision to persons who are exempt 
from them, are, for the time being, as grievous to the sufferer as any in 
the whole catalogue of pains and aches to which flesh is heir. 

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Reader, may it never be your lot, as it then was mine, to find sea-
sickness overcome by the stronger emotion inspired by the sight of a 
hostile vessel bearing rapidly down with the purpose of depriving you of 
your freedom.

   It was just noon, when a thick haze which had lain upon the water 
lifted, and at that moment we heard a startled cry of "Sail ho!" from the 
look-out man at the mast-head. These ominous words were the signal for a 
general rush aft. Extra steam was got up in an incredibly short space of 
time, and sail was set with the view both of increasing our speed and of 
steadying our vessel as she dashed through the water.

   Alas! it was soon evident that our exertions were useless, for every 
minute visibly lessened the distance between us 

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and our pursuer; her masts rose higher and higher, her hull loomed larger 
and larger, and I was told plainly that, unless some unforeseen accident 
should favour us, such as a temporary derangement of the Federal steamer's 
steering apparatus, or a breaking of some important portion of her 
machinery, we might look to New York instead of Bermuda as our destination.

   My feelings at this intelligence must be imagined: I can describe them 
but inadequately. "Unless," I thought, "Providence interposes directly in 
our behalf, we shall be overhauled and captured; and then what follows? I 
shall suffer a third rigorous imprisonment." Moreover, I was the bearer of 
despatches from my Government to authorities in Europe; and I knew that 
this service, honourable and necessary as it 

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was, the Federals regarded in the light of a heinous crime, and that, in 
all probability, I should be subjected to every kind of indignity.

   The chase continued, and the cruiser still gained upon us. For minutes, 
which to me seemed hours, did I strain my eyes towards our pursuer and 
watch anxiously for the flash of the gull that would soon send a shot or 
shell after us, or, for all I could tell, into us. How long I remained 
watching I know not, but the iron messenger of death came at last. A thin 
white curl of smoke rose high in the air as the enemy luffed up and 
presented her formidable broadside. Almost simultaneously with the hissing 
sound of the shell, as it buried itself in the sea within a few yards of 
us, came the smothered report of its explosion under water.

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   The enemy's shots now followed each other in rapid succession: some 
fell very close, while others, less skilfully aimed, were wide of the 
mark, and burst high in the air over our heads. During this time bale 
after bale of cotton had been rolled overboard by our crew, the epitaph of 
each as it disappeared beneath the waves being "By --! there's another 
they shall not get."

   Our captain paced nervously to and fro, nouns watching the compass, now 
gazing fixedly at the approaching enemy, now shouting "More steam! more 
steam! give her more steam!" At last he turned suddenly round to me, and 
exclaimed in passionate accents -

   "Miss Belle, I declare to you that, but for your presence on board, I 
would burn her to the water's edge rather than those 

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infernal scoundrels should reap the benefit of a single bale of our cargo."

   To this I replied, "Captain 'Henry,' act without reference to me - do 
what you think your duty. For my part, sir, I concur with you: burn her by 
all means - I am not afraid. I have made up any mind, and am indifferent 
to my fate, if only the Federals do not get the vessel."

   To this Captain "Henry" made no reply, but turned abruptly away and 
walked aft, where his officers were standing in a group. With them he held 
a hurried consultation, and then, coming to where I was seated, exclaimed -

   "It is too late to burn her now. The Yankee is almost on board of us. 
We must surrender!"

   During all this time the enemy's fire never ceased. Round shot and 
shell were 

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ploughing up the water about us. They flew before, behind, and above - 
everywhere but into us; and, although I knew that the first of those heavy 
missiles which should strike must be fatal to many, perhaps to all, yet so 
angry did I feel that I could have forfeited my own life if, by so doing, 
I could have baulked the Federals of their prey.

   At this moment we were not more than half a mile from our tormentor; 
for we had huffed up in the wind, and stopped our engine. Suddenly, with a 
deep humming sound, came a hundred-pound bolt. This shot was fired from 
their long gun amidships, and passed just over my head, between myself and 
the captain, who was standing on the bridge a little above me.

   "By Jove! don't they intend to give us 

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quarter, or show us some mercy at any rate?" cried Captain "Henry." "I 
have surrendered."

   And now from the Yankee came a stentorian hail. "Steamer ahoy! haul 
down that flag, or eve will pour a broadside into you!"

   Captain "Henry" then ordered the man at the wheel to lower the colours; 
but he replied, with true British pluck, that "he had sailed many times 
under that flag, but had never yet seen it hauled down; and," added he, "I 
cannot do it now." We were sailing under British colours, and the man at 
the helm was an Englishman.

   All this time repeated hails of "Haul down that flag, or we will sink 
you!" greeted us, until, at last, some one, I know not who, seeing how 
hopeless it must be to 

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brave them longer, took it upon himself to execute Captain "Henry's" 
order, and lowered the English ensign.



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CHAPTER IV.
WE are boarded by an Officer from the Yankee - The U.S. Steamer 
Connecticut - An Officer, but no Gentleman - Strange state of Yankee 
discipline - Scenes, on board of the Greyhound after her capture - "Ain't 
ye skeared?" - A proud boast.

   BEFORE the acknowledgment of our surrender had been made, a keg 
containing some twenty or thirty thousand dollars, equivalent in value to 
about six thousand pounds sterling, had been brought up on deck and 
consigned to the deep; whilst all my despatches and letters of 
introduction, 

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of which latter I had many, were consumed in the furnaces very shortly 
afterwards.

   We were boarded by a boat's crew from our captor, under the command of 
the executive officer, Mr. Kempf. Mounting the side, he walked up to 
Captain "Henry" and said -

   "Good day to you, Captain; I am glad to see you. This is a very fine 
vessel, and a valuable one. Will you be good enough to let me see your 
papers ?"

   To this Captain "Henry" replied, "Good day to yourself, sir; but as to 
my being happy to see you, I cannot really say that I am. I have no 
papers."

   The Federal lieutenant then said, "Well, Captain, your presence is 
required on board the United States steamer Connecticut, Captain Almy 
commanding; and, if 

Page 46

you can prove yourself all right, you will, no doubt be permitted to go."

   To this Captain "Henry" made no response, but, stepping into the cabin, 
donned his coat, and, returning on deck, said, "Now, sir, I am ready; 
shall we go?" Without further parley the two stepped together into the 
boat which was lying alongside, and immediately pulled for the Connecticut.

   One Mr. Swasey was left in charge of our luckless Greyhound - an 
officer as unfit for authority as any who has ever trodden the deck of a 
man-of-war. His subordinates were, I imagine, well acquainted with his 
character and abilities; at all events, they treated his orders not with 
respect, but ridicule.

   "Now, sergeant," said he, addressing the sergeant of marines, "look out 
for your men, and I will look out for mine. By the 

Page 47

way, though, station one man here to guard the spirit-room, and don't let 
any one go below; the first man I catch doing so I will blow his brains 
out, I will; I would not let my own father have a drink."

   He might possibly have resisted the solicitations of a thirsty parent, 
but he proved quite unable to withstand those of the men. He had hardly 
finished speaking when a seaman, whom, by his illigant brogue, I 
recognised at once for a true son of Erin, approached and addressed Mr. 
Swasey with all the native eloquence and pathos of his country -

   "Ah, Mr. Swasey, will yees be afther lettin' me have a small bottle of 
whiskey to kape out the could?"

   The colloquy that ensued was ludicrous in the extreme, terminating in a 
victory of the Irish sailor over the Federal officer. 

Page 48

This example of successful insubordination once set was soon followed; and 
in every instance Mr. Swasey yielded to the remonstrances, or rather to 
the mutinous appeals, of his men.

   "Here," suddenly exclaimed he, catching a glimpse of myself, "sergeant 
of the guard! sergeant of the guard! put a man in front of this door, and 
give him orders to stab this women if she dares to attempt to come out."

   This order, so highly becoming an officer and a gentleman, so courteous 
in its language, and withal so necessary to the safety and preservation of 
the prize, was given in a menacing voice and in the very words I have 
used. I record them for the purpose of showing how admirably the Federal 
Government has selected its naval officers, and how punctually and 
gallantly they 

Page 49

fulfilled the instructions of their superiors. Parcere subjectis must have 
been blotted out from the edition of the ancient poet read in those 
schools which had the honour of educating them.

   Mr. Swasey then came to the cabin door and introduced himself in these 
brief but delicate words: "Now, ain't ye skeared?"

   My blood was roused, and I replied, "No, I am not; I was never 
frightened at a Yankee in my life!"

   This retort of mine seemed to surprise him, as he walked away without 
another word. The effects of his displeasure, however, soon made 
themselves felt. To my ineffable disgust, the officers, and even the men, 
were permitted to walk at pleasure into my cabin, which I had hoped would 
have been respected as the sanctuary of a modest girl. In this hope, as in 
so many 

Page 50

others, I calculated far too much upon the forbearance and humanity of 
Yankees; and these qualities were seldom exhibited when their enemies were 
defenseless and, consequently, at their mercy.

   Officers and men now proceeded to help themselves to the private wines 
of the captain, in spite of the protest of the sentry who had been placed 
in front of my door, and of whom it is but justice to say that nature had 
qualified him to command when his superiors would have done well to obey.

   While these scenes were being enacted, my maid, and a coloured woman 
whom Captain "Henry" was conveying to a lady in Bermuda, were subjected to 
the rude familiarities of the prize crew.

   At this moment one of the Connecticut's officers, a Mr. Reveille, 
walked up to me 

Page 51

and said, "Do you know that it was I who fired the shot that passed close 
over your head?"

   "Was it?" replied I. "Should you like to know what I said of the 
gunner?"

   "I should like to know."

   "That man, whoever he may be, is an arrant coward to fire upon a 
defenseless ship after her surrender."

   To this rejoinder of mine, more sincere perhaps than prudent, he made 
no reply, but left the cabin with an embarrassed laugh.



Page 52

CHAPTER V.
An eventful Meeting - A Gentleman at last - A Wife's Apology - Mr. 
Hardinge - I am disappointed - A pleasant Exchange - Farewell to Mr. 
Swasey - A ludicrous Incident - Captain Henry's best Boots - I am 
discovered through treachery.

   SCARCELY had the discomfited Yankee betaken himself, to my intense 
satisfaction, upon deck, when I noticed a young officer who had just come 
over the side.

   He crossed the deck by the wheel and approached the cabin. I saw at a 
glance he was made of other stuff than his comrades 

Page 53

who had preceded him; and I confess my attention was riveted by the 
presence of a gentleman - the first, I think my readers will allow, whom I 
had met in the hour of my distress.

   A woman and a wife may, perhaps, be forgiven if, in a work which treats 
of more serious adventures than those of love, she indulges in a very 
brief reminiscence of the impression produced upon her by her future 
husband. Critics may smile; but I flatter myself that Englishwomen, so 
widely and so justly famed for conjugal devotion, will forgive me.

   His dark brown hair hung down on his shoulders; his eyes were large and 
bright. Those who judge of beauty by regularity of feature only could not 
have pronounced him strictly handsome. Neither Phidias nor Praxiteles 
would have chosen the subject 

Page 54

for a model of Grecian grace; but the fascination of his manner was such, 
his every movement was so much that of a refined gentleman, that my 
Southern "proclivities," strong as they were, yielded for a moment to the 
impulses of my heart, and I said to myself, "Oh, what a good fellow that 
must be!"

   To my secret disappointment, he passed by the cabin without entering or 
making any inquiries about me. I asked one of the Connecticut's officers 
who was close to me the name of the new arrival in this party of pleasure. 
"Lieutenant Hardinge," was his reply.

   Soon afterwards I heard the following conversation, which I perfectly 
well remember, and which I transcribe verbatim, between Mr. Swasey and Mr. 
Hardinge: -

Page 55

   Mr. Swasey. - "Hallo Hardinge, anything up? what is it?"

   Mr. Hardinge. - "Yes, sir; by order of Captain Almy, I have come to 
relieve you of the command of this vessel. It is his order that you 
proceed forthwith on board the Connecticut: you will be pleased to hand 
over to me the papers you have in relation to this vessel."

   Mr. Swasey. - "It is a lie! it is a lie! it ain't no such thing! I 
won't believe it. You have been lately juggling with the captain. Confound 
it! that is the way you always do!"

   Mr. Hardinge. - "Mr. Swasey, I am but obeying my orders; you must not 
insult me. If you continue to do so, I shall report you."

   Mr. Swasey cooled at once, I suppose, as I heard nothing further on his 
side. He 

Page 56

promptly handed over his orders, as desired by Mr. Hardinge, jumped into 
the boat alongside, and I caught the last sound of his charming voice as 
he uttered the word of command, "Give way there!" to the boat's crew.

   He returned to the Connecticut, and so passes out of this story. If its 
pages ever meet his eye, perhaps they may make him reflect that courtesy 
to a lady is compatible with the sternest duties of an officer, and that 
forbearance to the vanquished has always been the attribute of a truly 
brave man.

   Within a few minutes of the departure of our sometime prizemaster, Mr. 
Hardinge, now in command, issued his orders to the sergeant of marines as 
to how the men were to be posted; and I overheard, not without an emotion 
of pleasure, the sergeant telling 

Page 57

one of our officers that, although Mr. Hardinge might be a strict 
disciplinarian on duty, there was not a finer young fellow in the navy and 
that his men would follow him anywhere.

   Before long Mr. Hardinge came aft, and, bowing to me, asked permission 
to enter my cabin for a moment.

   "Certainly," I replied; "I know that I am a prisoner."

   "I am now in command of this vessel," said he; "and I beg you will 
consider yourself a passenger, not a prisoner."

   With the commencement of Mr. Hardinge's command - I may safely say, 
from the very moment he came on board - the conduct of the prize crew 
underwent a complete change; and one of the Yankee officers remarked, in 
my hearing, that, 

Page 58

although Hardinge was young, he knew how to command other men, and had 
learnt early in life the secret and the value of discipline.

   Half an hour, or thereabouts, elapsed, and I was reconciling myself to 
my captivity, when the return on board of Captain "Henry" was the occasion 
of a ludicrous incident which amused me more than perhaps my readers will 
suppose. I despair of describing it as it appeared to me: perhaps the 
reaction of my own feelings (such as we experience after passing safely 
through sudden and serious danger) gave it a zest beyond its real flavour.

   It was on this wise. Captain "Henry," coming on board, caught sight of 
a Federal sailor strutting about on the cotton bales in a pair of his 
(Captain "Henry's") very best 

Page 59

boots - boots which the captain most particularly cherished.

   "Here, you fellow, what are you doing with my boots? Take them off at 
once, or I shall report you to the officer in command for stealing."

   "But, sir," said the sailor, loath to part with his contraband goods, 
"I bought them from a messmate of mine, and chucked my own into the sea."

   This subterfuge, however, did not impose upon Mr. Hardinge's sense of 
honour and discipline. The ancient mariner had to remove the stolen boots 
and return barefooted to his ship.

   The officers and crew of the Greyhound, together with my fellow-
passengers Mr. Pollard and Mr. Newell, were taken on board the 
Connecticut. The captain, steward, cook, and cabin-boy, myself and 

Page 60

my maid, remained prisoners on board the prize.

   Before we were taken - indeed, when we sailed from Wilmington - it had 
been agreed that "Belle Boyd" should be for the time ignored, and that 
"Mrs. Lewis" should take her place. It was obvious that, in the event of 
capture, I should run less risk, suffer fewer privations, and be exposed 
to less indignity under an assumed name. Conceive, then, my surprise and 
indignation when I found that my secret had been revealed through the 
treachery of an unworthy countryman.

   Captain "Henry" told me that the Minnie, a blockade-runner like the 
Greyhound, which had been captured the day before by the Connecticut, had 
been the means of our own mishap. There can be no doubt that one of her 
officers was a traitor to the cause 

Page 61

of his country, and had, through fear, or actuated by some other unworthy 
motive, sacrificed those he should have defended with his life.

   It is with reluctance that I record this instance of dishonour on the 
part of a Southerner; but I am resolved to be an impartial historian, and, 
although often severe to the Yankees, by dint of telling plainly their 
shortcomings, I will not shrink from the truth when it is unfavourable to 
my countrymen.