General Stonewall Jackson wrote to 18-year-old Belle Boyd "I thank you for myself and the army, for the immense service that you rendered your country today."" Belle Boyd had braved enemy lines to bring informal information to Jackson. She was nicknamed " La Belle Rebelle.
Rose O'Neal Greenhow.
When the Civil War started Greenhow joined the confederate espionage system. She used her social contacts and admirers to gather information for the confederates. She's credited with supplying General Beauregard with the timetable for the Union advance to Manassas, allowing the Rebels time to consolidate their forces to win the first battle of Bull Run in July 1861.
Pauline Cushman.
Cushman claimed to be looking for her officer brother; Cushman began following the confederate army. She became the "darling' of the southern troops. She gathered information of great value to the advancing union forces. She was later found out and sentenced to be hanged. Before her execution could be carried out, union troops invaded the Shelbyville area where the execution was to be carried out. Her knowledge of southern strategies was a huge help to union General Rosecrans, and president Lincoln awarded her with an honorary major's commission.
Nancy Hart served as a Confederate scout, guide and spy, carrying messages between the Southern Armies. She hung around isolated Federal outposts, acting as a peddlar, to report their strength, population and vulnerability to General Jackson. .
Nancy was twenty years old when she was captured by the Yankees and jailed in a dilapidated house with guards constantly patrolling the building. Nancy gained the trust of one of her guards, got his weapon from him, shot him and escaped. After the war Nancy married Joshua Douglas and settled in Virginia.
Elizabeth Van Lew asked to be allowed to visit Union prisoners held by the Confederates in Richmond and began taking them food and medicines.