La Belle Rebelle
Belle was a delightful spoiled Southern Bell. They could fill a black board with all the pranks she played as a child and with no reprimands. She was loved by all, family and friends.
Eliza was her personal maid, bodyguard, confidante and friend. She loved Belle as she did her own children. Eliza was not a lot older than Belle. Belle often teased her with pranks she pulled and Eliza was the only one that that would correct her.
One of Belle’s greatest loves was the Shenandoah Valley and she was one of its most loyal inhabitants. She threw the social codes out the window in her efforts to gain information for the South. She did not deviate from their moral code.
She loved all the soldiers in their handsome uniforms. Belle had a gift of conversation. If Belle was there everyone’s focus was on this vivacious girl.
Belle was part of Stonewall Jackson, Beauregard, and Ashby’s spy system. It is said that in her hometown of Martinsburg the military control was exchanged fifty times between the South and the Union. Belle found her life as a spy and courier exciting. She was arrested five times, under house arrest several times, imprisoned twice, and held captive at a hotel. She was never charged or convicted of a crime. She continued her work until she was banished by the Union.
