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Chronicling America is a searchable digital collection of historic newspaper pages through 1963 sponsored jointly by the National Endowment for the Humanities and the Library of Congress.
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Also, see the Directory of U.S. Newspapers in American Libraries, a searchable index to newspapers published in the United States since 1690, which helps researchers identify what titles exist for a specific place and time, and how to access them.
A vain but daring spy, Belle Boyd (1844-1900) served as a vital tool for the Confederacy. Though her treasonous acts were generally done out in the open and she was caught many times, Belle escaped harsh punishments and earned a captain’s commission in the Confederate army. Read more about it!
The information in this guide focuses on primary source materials found in the digitized historic newspapers from the digital collection Chronicling America.
The timeline below highlights important dates related to this topic and a section of this guide provides some suggested search strategies for further research in the collection.
| May 28, 1862 | Belle Boyd outwits the Union, waves her handkerchief, and saves General Stonewall Jackson’s army at Front Royal. |
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| July 26, 1862 | Belle an accomplished flirt and leader of Confederate female spies. |
| August 14, 1862 | Belle arrested and confesses her deeds. |
| August 29, 1863 | A year later, Belle arrested again for spying. |
| May 25, 1864 | The blockade runner, Greyhound, caught with Belle Boyd on board. |
| September 8, 1864 | Belle Boyd marries the Naval Lieutenant that she seduced in order to get away after captured on Greyhound. |
| December 10, 1864 | Belle’s husband captured by Union soldiers; Belle suspected to be nearby. |
| March 15, 1865 | Belle Boyd in poverty. |
| August 1865 | Belle publishes her autobiography of spy exploits in England. |
| September 1865 | Belle Boyd takes up acting; her debut is a play based on her life. |
| June 16, 1900 | Belle Boyd dies of heart disease while on a lecture tour. |
