Belle Boyd

The story of the ‘Siren of the Shenandoah’ in her own words

Isabella Maria Boyd (1844-1900) was one of the most famous and notorious female Confederate spies at work during the American Civil War. Best known as ‘Belle’, she operated from an hotel owned by her father in the town of Front Royal, in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia and is credited with providing information valuable to her cause particularly to General ‘Stonewall’ Jackson in 1862. Belle appeared to have a charmed life for she managed on several occasions to narrowly avoid being shot or incarcerated despite being arrested by the Union on six occasions. She was eventually captured but released when she fell ill. Perhaps Belle Boyd wrote her memoirs ‘with advantages’ to be fully equal to her reputation, but they nonetheless provide a highly entertaining insight into the life of one of the American Civil War’s most enduring characters. Originally published in two volumes, Belle Boyd’s entire book is here offered in a single, good value Leonaur edition.

Leonaur editions are newly typeset and are not facsimiles; each title is available in softcover and hardback with dustjacket.