Martinsburg in Berkeley County, West Virginia — The American South (Appalachia)

Site of Belle Boyd Home

Famous Confederate Spy

Photographed By J. J. Prats, April 28, 2007

1. Site of Belle Boyd Home Marker

Inscription. Here on July 4, 1861, Belle Boyd, at the age of 17, shot and killed a Union soldier. She was imprisoned on several occasions as a result of her later spying activities.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: War, US Civil • Women. A significant historical date for this entry is July 4, 1861.

Location. 39° 27.135′ N, 77° 57.917′ W. Marker is in Martinsburg, West Virginia, in Berkeley County. Marker is on South Queen Street (West Virginia Route 9), on the left when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Martinsburg WV 25401, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Boydville (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); St. John's Catholic Cemetery (about 400 feet away); Old High School (about 500 feet away); Charles Faulkner (about 600 feet away); Norbourne Parish Cemetery (about 600 feet away); Major General Adam Stephen (approx. 0.2 miles away); Old Methodist Church (approx. 0.2 miles away); St. Joseph's Catholic Church (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Martinsburg.

Regarding Site of Belle Boyd Home. A band of drunken Union soldiers burst into the Boyd home on July 4, 1861, to raise the U. S. flag over the house. One of the soldiers insulted her mother and Miss Boyd killed him with a pistol.

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A Federal Board of Inquiry exonerated her. Belle Boyd later spied for the Confederacy and delivered secret correspondence from Confederate President Jefferson Davis to the English Prime Minister.

Also see . . . Belle Boyd, Confederate Spy. (Submitted on April 29, 2007.)

Photographed By J. J. Prats, April 28, 2007

2. Site of Belle Boyd Home Marker

The Marker Is in Front of This House image. Click for full size.

Photographed By J. J. Prats, April 28, 2007

3. The Marker Is in Front of This House

The Belle Boyd home is no longer standing, This Victorian is now on the site.

Belle Boyd, Confederate Spy image. Click for full size.

Library of Congress

4. Belle Boyd, Confederate Spy

Published between 1855 and 1865 - Brady-Handy Collection,

Credits. This page was last revised on March 16, 2022. It was originally submitted on April 29, 2007, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. This page has been viewed 3,987 times since then and 33 times this year. Last updated on March 10, 2022, by James Dean of Chesterfield, Virginia. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on April 30, 2007, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. 4. submitted on September 23, 2020, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.