Charlotte Hope: Facts and Fiction

The story of Charlotte Hope as reported is heart breaking.  She first enters the historical record when she assisted the 1st Virginia Cavalry with reconnaissance about the area surrounding her residence.  While helping guide the troopers, she met and fell in love with Billy Wilds.  However, the budding romance came to a tragic end when the young lieutenant was killed during a raid.  The distraught Charlotte sought to avenge his death by sending 21 Yankees into eternity, one for each year of her beloved's life.  In order to accomplish this gory goal, Charlotte Hope assumed the alias, "Charlie Hopper," and joined the regiment. It is reported that the captain, Charles Irving, was aware of her true identity as well as her mission, and looked after her.  Despite his attempts to protect the young girl, however, Hope ultimately suffered the same fate as her love when she, too, was killed.