A Brief History
On July 29, 1862, female Confederate spy, Belle Boyd, was arrested by Union forces with the assistance of famed private detective Allan Pinkerton. Arrested at least six times for spying, and despite warning that she could be executed, Boyd was never executed or given long prison sentences.
Digging Deeper
A native of Virginia, Boyd ran afoul of Union troops when they found Confederate flags in her home. A Union soldier insulted Boyd’s mother, resulting in Boyd shooting and killing the soldier.
Found not guilty of murder, Boyd went on to a career of spying, being caught and sometimes jailed, though not for long, and once getting a bullet shot through her skirt. An arrest resulted in a prisoner exchange, and another resulted in release due to illness. Caught fleeing to England, she was sent to Canada, married an Englishman and returned to the US after the War, engaging in writing and speaking about her career as a spy.
Note: Both sides often used women and girls as spies, as well as African Americans. Women played many important roles during the US Civil War. Dr. Zar is also a native of Virginia!
Question for students (and subscribers) to ponder: Would you be willing to spy during a war?
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Historical Evidence
For more information, please see…
Abbot, Karen. Liar, Temptress, Soldier, Spy: Four Women Undercover in the Civil War. Harper Perennial, 2015.
Hardinge, Belle Boyd. Belle Boyd: the Recollections of a Famous Female Confederate Spy During the American Civil War. Leonaur Ltd, 2020.
