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Belle Boyd, Spy Trivia Quiz

Belle Boyd was only a teenager when she began her spying career during the American Civil War. Come along and learn a bit about Belle.

A multiple-choice quiz by laughinggirl. Estimated time: 4 mins.

Author
laughinggirl

Time
4 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
124,671

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Tough

Avg Score
6 / 10

Plays
500

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. For what side did Belle spy for during the Civil War?

Answer: (One Word ... North or South)

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Question 2 of 10

2. How did Belle begin her career in espionage? Hint

She warned Southern troops of a Union advance

She shot a soldier

She smuggled weapons to soldiers

She used her "feminine wiles" to gain information from soldiers

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Question 3 of 10

3. In Charlottesville, Virginia, Belle used her white bonnet as a signal to the Confederates that they should advance.

True

False

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Question 4 of 10

4. How many times did Belle go to prison for spying? Hint

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Question 5 of 10

5. Belle married a Union soldier.

True

False

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Question 6 of 10

6. Belle Boyd wrote her autobiography and published it in 1865. What was the name of that book? Hint

The Life of a Spy: Belle Boyd

Belle Boyd, Spy

Belle Boyd in Camp and Prison

The Adventures of Belle Boyd

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Question 7 of 10

7. After writing her autobiography, Belle turned to another career to make money. What was that career?

Answer: (One Word: On Stage...)

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Question 8 of 10

8. To avoid being shot or confined for treason, Belle left the United States. Did she ever return?

Yes

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Question 9 of 10

9. In what was the last dramatic production of Belle's career? Hint

Yankee Doodle Dandy

One God, One Flag, One People--Forever!

The South Forever!

Romeo and Juliet

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Question 10 of 10

10. From what did Belle die? Hint

cancer

heart attack

wounds she received during the war

recurring fever

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. For what side did Belle spy for during the Civil War?

Answer: Confederacy

Belle Boyd was born in Martinsburg, Virginia (now Martinsburg WV), on May 9, 1844, and was a staunch advocate of the Confederacy.

2. How did Belle begin her career in espionage?

Answer: She shot a soldier

Belle did all of these things, but what started her on the road to spying was an incident that resulted in her shooting a soldier. This soldier was rude to her mother over the hanging of a Union flag over Belle's home. Belle finally "...could stand it no longer...my blood was literally boiling in my veins. I drew out my pistol and shot him." Union officers felt such sympathy for her that they spared her from punishment.

This led Belle to obtain information from the admiring Union officers, and a career in spying was begun.

3. In Charlottesville, Virginia, Belle used her white bonnet as a signal to the Confederates that they should advance.

Answer: False

Actually, this took place in Front Royal, Virginia. Belle learned that the Union troops were planning to burn the town's bridges after they retreated, and so she forewarned the Confederates.

4. How many times did Belle go to prison for spying?

Answer: 2

The first time she was confined in Washington's Old Capitol Prison. She was released in a prisoner exchange. Just months later she was again remanded to prison. She was released this time because she became ill with typhoid fever. She was captured and almost sent to prison from the steamer "Greyhound", which had been used as a blockade runner but she wrote the Secretary of the Navy to be released under the condition that she go to Canada.

The request was granted.

5. Belle married a Union soldier.

Answer: True

While aboard the "Greyhound", Belle began a courtship with Acting Ensign Samuel Hardinge, her Union guard. They married shortly afterwards in London. In fact, several years after Hardinge died Belle married again. John Hammond had also served in the Union Army.

6. Belle Boyd wrote her autobiography and published it in 1865. What was the name of that book?

Answer: Belle Boyd in Camp and Prison

Critics of the time found the book to be too sensational, nonetheless, it depicted the mood of the Confederacy.

7. After writing her autobiography, Belle turned to another career to make money. What was that career?

Answer: acting

Belle acted on the stage for much of the rest of her life. The stage was so much a part of her life that fifteen years after marrying John Hammond she divorced him to marry an actor: Nathaniel Rue High.

8. To avoid being shot or confined for treason, Belle left the United States. Did she ever return?

Answer: Yes

Despite the warning that she would be shot if she returned, Belle did return to her homeland in 1866 after having moved to England.

9. In what was the last dramatic production of Belle's career?

Answer: One God, One Flag, One People--Forever!

Her last performances stressed the importance of the unity of the North and the South.

10. From what did Belle die?

Answer: heart attack

Belle Boyd died from a heart attack on June 11, 1900. All information comes from the June, 2003 issue of "American History" magazine.

Source: Author laughinggirl

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor thejazzkickazz before going online.
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