Belle Boyd (Confederate Spy): The Cleopatra of Secession

Belle Boyd, at the age of just 17, became a spy for the Confederate Army during the American Civil War. She was not recruited by any agency but did so of her own volition. She was reckless, brave, and her willingness at such a tender age to seduce older men to acquire valuable military secrets soon earned her the soubriquet – the Cleopatra of Secession.

Isabella Marie Boyd, was born on 9 May, 1844, in the town of Martinsburg, Virginia. An area of the State that in fact refused to secede from the Union and later broke away to form the pro-Union State of West Virginia. Her family, though of relatively modest means, managed to provide the money for their daughter to have an expensive education. She was a bright and intelligent girl but one who always enjoyed the outdoors to academic study. Indeed, she was a tomboy who couldn’t climb enough trees and liked nothing better than to rough up the boys. Even so, upon her graduation she was dusted down and sent North, to be the Belle of the Ball, and find a good husband. But marriage was not the priority for the many young gentleman now distracted by the prospect of war. Disappointed, she returned home.

Unlike the majority of their neighbours, Belle’s parents were enthusiastic supporters of the secessionist cause and proudly flew the Confederate flag outside their home. On 4 July, 1861, Union soldiers arrived in the town of Martinsburg. Upon seeing the rebel flag they set about tearing it down with some relish. The normally hot-tempered Belle managed to bite her tongue and remain silent. When her mother complained, however, she was both physically and verbally abused by a Union soldier. Furious at her mothers rough treatment, Belle could could contain herself no longer. She reached for her fathers gun and shot the soldier wounding him. Belle was immediately arrested but following an Inquiry was exonerated of blame . Even so, sentries were posted outside the house and her family were placed under close surveillance.

Belle, however, was just 17 years of age, pretty, charming, and coquettish. She got on well with the Union soldiers. She seduced a Union Officer, Daniel Kelly, who was soon revealing military secrets to her during bouts of often passionate pillow talk. She sent these secrets hidden in a hollowed-out watch case via her slave Eliza Hopewell, to Confederate forces nearby. When they were both caught, Eliza was released, but Belle was threatened with the death sentence. But finally it was decided that she was just a foolish young girl and released.