, 1864-08-12
Miss Major Pauline cushman

Among the women of America who have made
themselves famous since the opening of the re-
bellion, few have suffered more or rendered
more service to the Federal cause than Miss
Major Pauline Cushman, the female scout and
spy. AT the commencement of hostilties she
resided in Cleveland, Ohio, and was quite well
known as actress. From Cleveland she went
to Louisville, where she had an engagement in
Woods Theater. Here by her intimacy with
certain rebel officers, she incurred the suspision
of being rebel, and was arrested by the Fede-
raj authorities. She Indignantly denied that she
was rebel, although born at the South and
having brother in rebel Mississippi regiment
In order to test her love for the old flag, she
was asked if she would enter the secret service
of the Government. She readily consented, and
was at once employed to carry letters between
Louisville and Nashville. She was subseuuent-
ly employed by Gen. Rosecrans and was for
many months with the Army of the Cumberland.
She visited the rebel lines time after time and
was thoroughly acquainted with all the country
in Tennessee, Northern Georgia, Alabama and
Mississippi, in which section she rendered our
armies invaluable service. She was twice sus-
pected of being a spy, and taken prisoner, but
managed to escape.
AT last however she was not so fortunate. Af-
ter our forces had captured Nashville, Major
Cushman made scout toward Shelbyville to
obtain information of the strength of the enemy
and while returning to Nashville was captured
on the Hardin Pike eleven miles from the lat
ter city. She was placed on a horse, and in
charge of two scouts was being taken to Spring
Hill, the headquarters of Forrest.
While on the way to this place. she pretended
sickness, and said she could not travel any fur
ther without falling from her horse. Her cap
tors stopped at a house on the roadside when it
was ascertained that Federal scouting party
had passed the house an hour before. Knowing
that her guards had important papers for Cen
Bragg, the quick-witted spy seized the fact and
schemed to use it to her advantage.
Seeing an old negro, who appeared to pity
her unfortunate plight; she watched her oppor-
tunity and placed ten dollars in Tennessee mon
ey in his hand, saying, q Run up the road, I'm
Gle, and come back in few minutes, telling us,
that four hundred Federals are coming down
the street." The faithful negro obeyed the or
der literally, and soon came back in the greatest
excitement, telling the story. The rebels told
him he lied. The old colored man got down on
his knees saying, 'Massa, dey's cumin sure
nutf; de Lord help us, dey is cumin'. y
The scouts at this believed his story, and mount
ing their horses skedaddled for the woods Miss
Cushman seized pistol belonging to wounded
soldier in the house, also mounted her horse and
fed towards Franklin. She travelled through
the rain, and after nightfall lost her way. Soon
came the challenge of picket. "Who comes
there ?' Thinking that she had reached the
rebel lines, she said: IA friend of Jeff Davis"
Albright, was the reply; advance and give the
countersign." ra-s
She presented the countersign in the shape of
a canteen of whiskey. In this way she passed
FIVE; but the sixth and last was obdurate She
pleaded that she was going to see a sick uncle
at Franklin, but the sentry couldn't see it. Sick
and disheartened, she turned back. Seeing a
light at a farmhouse, she sought shelter. An
old man received her kindly showed her to a
room, and said he would awake her at an early
hour in the morning and show her the road to
Franklin"
A loud knock awoke her in the morning from
her Leathean slumbers and upon arousing she
found her horse and saddle with the two guards
from whom she had escaped the previous after
noon. She was taken to the headquarters of
Forrest, and he sent her after critical exami-
nation, to Gen. Bragg Nothing could be found