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CHAPTER V
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CHAPTER V WITH THE F I R S T G E N I A L DAYS of spring, the Federal troops broke up their winter-quarters, and advanced again upon the devastated village of Martinsburg, which had been held during the winter by the Confederates. Martinsburg, situated as it was on the border of the State, was incessantly a bone of contention , and its capture and recapture were of frequent recurrence. My father, who had been at home on sick-leave for several weeks, was now able to resume his military duties, and he decided upon removing me farther south, as our home was in constant peril, and I had gained a notoriety which would hardly recommend me to thefavorable notice of the Federals in the event of their shortly reoccupying Martinsburg , which seemed only too probable. Accordingly, I was again sent to Front Royal, there to remain until our home should once more be secure. A few days after my arrival at Front Royal a battle was fought close by, at Kearnstown. The Confederates, vastly overmatched in numbers, were forced to retreat, and Front Royal became the prize of the conquerors . Thus, to use a homely adage, "out of the frying-pan into the fire" had been my fate. Upon the approach of the enemy, my uncle and aunt, taking with them one daughter, quitted home with the intention of reaching Richmond , leaving their other daughter, AliceS , a beautiful girl about my own age, our grandmamma, Mrs. Glynn and myself,to take charge B E L L E BOYD IN C A M P AND P R I S O N 93 of the house and servants, and act in all contingencies to the best of our ability. When I found that the Confederate forces were retreating so far down the Valley, and reflected that my father was with them, I became very anxious to return to my mother; and,as no tie of duty bound me to Front Royal, I resolved upon the attempt at all hazards. I started in company with my maid, and had got safely without adventure of any kind as far as Winchester, when some unknown enemy or some malicious neutral denounced me to the authorities as aConfederatespy . Before, however, this act of hostility or malice had been perpetrated, I had taken the precaution of procuring a pass from General Shields; and I fondly hoped that this would, under all circumstances,secure me from molestation and arrest; for I was not awarethat, while I was in the very act of receiving my bill of "moral health," an order was being issued by the Provost-Marshal which forbade me to leave the town. When the hour which I had fixed for my departure arrived, I stepped into the railway-cars,and was congratulating myself with the thought that I should ere long be at home once more, and in the society of those I loved, when a Federal officer, Captain Bannon, appeared. He was in charge of some Confederate prisoners, who, under his command, were en routeto the Baltimore prison. I wasmore surprised than pleased when, handing over the prisoners to a subordinate, he walked straight up to me, and said: "Is this Miss Belle Boyd?" "Yes." "I am the Assistant-Provost, and I regret to say, orders have been issued for your detention, and it is my duty to inform you that youcannot proceed until your case has been investigated; so you will, if you please, get out,as the train is on the point of starting." "Sir," I replied, presenting him General Shields's pass, "here is a pass which I beg you will examine. Youwill find that it authorizes my maid and myself to pass on any road to Martinsburg." He reflected for some time, and at last said: "Well, I scarcely know how to act in your case. Orders have been issued for your arrest, and yet you have a pass from the General allowing [3.237.31.131] Project MUSE (2024-03-29 10:22 GMT) 94 B E L L E BOYD IN C A M P AND P R I S O N you to return home. However, I shall take the responsibility upon my shoulders, convey you with the other prisoners to Baltimore, and hand you over to General Dix." I played my role of submission as gracefully as I could; for where resistance is impossible, it is still left to the vanquished to yield with dignity...