This autograph book/scrapbook belonged to Belle Boyd, a Confederate spy. Only 17 years old at the start of the war, Boyd used her looks and charm to gain information from Union troops stationed near her Virginia home. Her most significant action was providing information to Turner Ashby and Stonewall Jackson about Union activities in Front Royal during the 1862 Valley campaign. Boyd was arrested multiple times and was held in Union prisons from July 29, 1862 to August 28, 1862 and again from August to December 1863.
Transcript:
Lewie to Belle
Laden with the roses perfume
Ever will my thoughts return
With the pleasure of your welcome
In your cozy pleasant home
Ever with July’s returns!
Tender, loving be thy heart
O’er it richest joy impart
Belle, think of me, when gone,
Even as I shall think of thee,
Lovingly, with friendly heart.
Lovingly, must think of me,
Even through warfare’s fiercest dart
Lewis R. Stegman
Capt. Co E. 102nd Reg’t, N.Y.S.V.
Front Royal, Va,
July 9th 1862
Citation: Belle Boyd (1844-1900), Album: 1859-1903 [bulk 1862-1900]. AMs 1296/16