Delaware State journal and statesman., 1864-06-03
1omrnaI anO sstatralMan
Friday Morning. June 8, 1864
Thrilling Adventures of Miss Major Pau
line Cnshman-H Performance as
Spy--A Narrow Escape from Bis
graceful Death.

line CnSnmdn--klGI 4 GAAuA hLdhSp 90 o
Spy-A Narrow Escape from a Bis
graceful Death.
From ihb Dainit ribnne
Among ihe women Of America who have made
themselves famous since the opening Of the re
belhon few nave suffered more, OF rendered
more sergco 10 the Federal cnuse than Miss
Major Pau inc Cnshmnn, the female scout and
spy. Al the commencement OF hOstiiitleB she
tesidodin Cleveland, Ohio, and she was quite well
known mud clever actress. From Cleveland
sho went to Loniayille, where She had IN en-
Ragcment in Woods theatre. Here, by her in.
timacy with certain rebel officers she incurred
the suspicion Of being rebel, and was arrested
by the Federal authorities She Indignantly
denied ;lat she was Arebvl although born ut the
South, and having n brother in a rebel hlisss-
sppi regiment. In order to test her love for the
old ilag, she was asked il bhe would eutcr the
secret service of the Government She readily
consented, and was at once employed 10 cnrry
letters between Louisville mud Nashville. She
was subsequently, employed by General Rose
Grams, and was for muuy months with the Army
of the Cumberland. She visited tho rebel lines
time after time, and wns thoroughly acquainted
with all the country and roads in Tennessee,
Northern Georgia, Alabama and Mississippi, in
which section she rendered our armies invalu-
able service. She was twice suspected OF being
SPY, and tAkcn prisoner, but managed to es-
cape. At last, oweser, she WAS not 30 fortu-
nate. Aflci our forces had captured Nashville,
Major Cushman made q scout toward Shelbyvlle
10 obtain information as the strength and posi-
tion of the enemy and while returning to Nash
ville was captured on the Harden pike, eleven
miles from the latter city, She was placed on u
horse, and in charge Of two scouts, was being
taken TO Spriug Hill the headquarters Of Forrest
While on the way to this place she feignei sick
resi, aud said she could not travel any further
without falling from her horse. Her captors
stopped at a house on the roadside, when 1t was
asceTtaned that a federal scouting pariy had
passed the place an hour before. Knowing that
her guards had important parers for General
Bragg, the quck-witted spy seized the fact and
scheHcd to use it to her advantage. Seeing an
old negro, who appeared to commsserate her
unfortunate plight, she watched her opportunity
and placed ten dollars in Tennessee money in
lis hand, saying: "Rnn up the road, Uncle,
and come back in few minutes, telling us that
four hundred Federals are coming down the
street" The faithful negro obeyed the order
literally, and soon came back in the greatest
excitement, telling The story. The two "Febs"
told him he lied. The old colored mau got down
on his knees, saying "hlessa dey's cummin
sure null de Lord help u.s. dey is cunning"
The scouts ut ths believed his story, mounted
thcirlerses, aud "skcdaddcd" for the woods.
Miss Gu. Imam, seizng pistol belonging to
wounded soldier in the house, also mounted her
hoise and fled towards Franklin. She travelled
through the rain, and, after nightiall, lost her
way. Soon there came the challenge Of
picket: "Who comes there 2" Thinking she
had reached the rebel line she said, "a friend of
led Davis" 'Al right was the reply, "advance
md give the countersigu." She presented the
0OuntersiPn in the shape of oanteen of whiskey.
She passed five piokeis in this way, but the sixth
md last was Obdurate. She pleaded that she
WAS going to see u sick uncle at Franklin, but
tic sentry couldn't see ii. Sick and dsheart-
caed, she turned back. Seeing light at farm
house she sought shelter. An old man received
her kindly, showed her to n room and s1id he
would awaken her Mt an early hour in the morn
ing aud show her the road 10 Franklin. A loud
knock invoke her in the morning from her
lethern slumhers, aud upon arOusing, she found
her horse added aud the two guards from whom
the had escaped the previous afternoon. She
was taken 10 the headquarters Of Forrest, and
he sent her, after critical examination, 10 Gene
Ia Bragg. Nothing could be found against her
nntil seoesh woman stole her CATERS, under the
inner sole OF which were found important docu-
meDIs, which clearly proved her to be q spy,
bal being sick, her execution was postponed.
She iluny, after lying lp prison three months,
seut for General Bragg, nud asked him il he had
no mercy. She received from him the comfort
ing assurance that he should make au example
Of her, und lie should hang her AZ soon as she
got well enough to be lung deceAtly. While in
this state Of suspense, the grand army OF Rose
Grams commencing ita forward movement, and
one fins day the rebel town, where she was i'm
pris0ned. was surprised and captured, aud the
heroine Of this tale Was, 10 her great joy, re
leased, She is now in this city Visiting friends
having arrived III the Bidilo House One day last
week