Belle Boyd in Camp and Prison

by Belle Boyd, Drew Gilpin Faust (Foreword), Sharon Kennedy Nolle (Introduction)

First published in 1865, Belle Boyd's memoir of her experiences as a Confederate spy has stood the test of time and interest. Belle first gained notoriety when she killed a Union soldier in her home in 1861. During the Federal occupations of the Shenandoah Valley, she mingled with the servicemen and, using her feminine wiles, obtained useful information for the Rebel cause.
In this new edition, Kennedy-Nolle and Faust consider the domestic side of the Civil War and also assess the value of Boyd's memoir for social and literary historians in its challenge to our understanding the most divisive years in American history.

Genres: Civil War, History, Nonfiction, Memoir

288 pages, Paperback

First published August 1, 1998

About the author

Isabella Maria Boyd, best known as Belle Boyd (or as Cleopatra of the Secession or Siren of the Shenandoah, was a Confederate spy in the American Civil War. She operated from her father's hotel in Front Royal, Virginia, and provided valuable information to Confederate General Stonewall Jackson in 1862.

Reviews

[Bethanne Bruninga-Socolar · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating first-hand account of the American Civil War by a pretty extraordinary woman. Reads more like a diary than a memoir.
The foreword and introduction are excellent but are too detailed before reading Boyd's words. Most of the introduction content would be more easily understandable after having read the memoir.

[Ashley Morrison · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a brave woman! Her and her husband were both held in prison as rebels for many months. Belle Boyd was controversial at the time during the civil. She was seen as a rebel, but others saw her as a hero, same with her husband. Those two should be given more credit for their bravery and dealing with Yankees. If anyone enjoys America’s civil war, I recommend to get this book and read it. Thank you!

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Belle Boyd is definatly one of my new hero's. She endured prison,for her country.It was the ultimate show of commitment she had for what she belived in.I will be recommending this book to all.