Associated with providing militia and military information during the First Battle of Manassas, Antonia Ford, a spy for the Confederate States of America, was also credited as being a spy for the two years following. Ford had accusations against her because she was a spy for the confederate States and John Singleton Mosby. Mosby and his rangers seized General Edwin Stoughton. Although Mosby denied that Ford was a spy for him, she was arrested at Old Capitol Prison. Born in Fairfax, Virginia, Antonia Ford was the daughter of a distinguished merchant, Edward Ford. At 23, Antonia was unwed and living a tranquil life when the war began. Her quiet home was established across from the Fairfax Court House. Her brother Charles fulfilled the position as a lieutenant in General J.E.B. Stuart’s Horse Artillery, before death came upon him at the Battle of Brandy Station. The Ford family had a good relationship with General Stuart and Colonel John Mosby. In the beginning part or the …show more content…
After a conflict, forces from the South expelled the area and Union troops inhabited it. The Ford house soon turned into a boarding house for Union troops. Antonia acquired precious information from Union officers who resided at her home. She often eavesdropped and listened to officers converse; she would then announce the details of what she heard to Stuart’s officers based around the Fairfax Court House. Ford’s nationalism and fidelity had attached her to Stuart. October 7, 1861, J.E.B. Stuart enlisted Antonia as an honorary member of staff. Under her mattress is where she hid the citation. Stuart wrote “She will be obeyed, respected, and admired by all the lovers of a noble nature.” One soldier of the Confederacy who viewed Stuart’s entrusting of the commission to Ford later insisted that the charter bore the influence of the General’s signet ring. He noted that the General’s aim was more carefree than