The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1864-06-17
JUNE II, 1864.
The Female Federal Scout.

Ine femalo f6ueral oCuut'
Among the women Of America who have
made themselves famous since the opening OF
the rebellion, few have suffered more, or rem
dercd moro service to the Federal cause than
Miss Major Pauline Cushman, the female scout
and spy. At the commencement Of hostilities
she resided in Cleveland, Ohio, and was quite
well known as clever actress. From Cleve-
land she went to. Louisville, where she had an
engagement In Woods Theatre. Here, by
her intimacy with certain rebel officers, she In
CURED the suspicion Of being rebel. and was
arrested by the Federal authorities. She indig.
nantly 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 II she
would enter the secret service OF the govern
ment. She readily consented, and was at once
employed to carry letters between Louisville
and Nashville. She was subsequently, employed
by Gen. Roseerans, and was for many months
with the Army of the Cumberland. She visit
ed the rebel lines time after time. and was tho
roughly acquainted with all the country aud
roads in Tennessee, Northern Georgia, Alaba-
mo and Mississippi. In which she rendred our
armies invaluable service. She was twice sus-
pccted of being spy, and taken prisoner. but
managed to escape. At last, however, she was
not so fortunate. After our forces had cap
tured Nashville. Major Cushman made scout
toward shelbyville to obtain information OF the
strength and position Of the enemy. and while
returning to Nashville. was captured on the
Hardin Pike, eleven miles from the latter city.
She was placed on horse, and. in charge OF
two scouts. was being taken to Spring Hill, tho
headquarters of Forrest. While on the way to
this place, she fcigned sickness, and said she
could not travel any further without falling
from her horse. Her captors stopped at q
house on the roadside. when II was asccrtaincd
that federal scouting party had passed the
place m hour before. Knowing that her guards
had important papers for Gen. Bragg, the
quick witted spy seized the fact and schemed to
use It to her advantage. Seeing m old negro,
who appeared to commiscrate her unfortunate
plight. she watched her opportunity and placed
ten dollars in Tennessee money iu his hand,
saying: "Run up the road, Uncle, and come
back in q few minutes, telling us that four hun.
dred federals are coming down the street. -
The faithful negro obeycd the order literally,
and soon came back In the greatest excitement,
telling the story. The two "rebs" told him he
lied. Tho old colored man got down on his
knees, saying "Massa, dey's are cumin. sure
nuff; de Lord help Us, dey is scumin." The scouts
at this believed his story. mounted their horses,
and "skedaddlcd" for the woods. Miss Cush-
man, scizing pistol belonging to wounded
soldier in the house, also mounted her horse
and fed toward Franklin. She travelled thro'
the rain, and, after night.fall, lost her way.
Soon there came the challenge of picket: {:
"who comes thercl" Thinking she had reached
the rebel lines, sho said "a friend Of JEFF
Davis" "All right" was the reply, "adyance
and give tho countersign." She presented the
countersign in the shape of cautccn of whs
key. She passed five pickets in this way, but
the sixth and last was obdurate. Sbc pleaded
that she was going to sec sick uncle at Frank
lin, but tho sentry couldn't sec It,. Sick md
disheartenod she turned back. Seeing light
at farm house sho sought shelter. An old
man received her kindly, showed her to room,
and said he would awake her at an early hour
In the morning aud show her the road to Frank
lin. A loud knock invoke her In the morning
from her lethean slumbers, and upon arising
she found her horse saddled and the two guards
from whom she had escaped the previous after-
noon. She was taken to the headquarters OF
Forrest, and hc sent her, after critical exam
ination, to Gen. Bragg Nothing could be
found against her, until seccsh woman stole
her CATERS. under the inner sole Of which were
found important documents, which clearly
proved her to DO spy. She was tried and
condemned to be. executed rs spy. but being
sick, her execution was postponed. She finally,
after lying In prison three months, sent for
Gen. Bragg, and asked him II he had no mercy.
She received from him the comforting assur-
ance, that he should make m example OF her,
and that he should hang her as soon as she got
we'll enough to be hung decently. While IN
this state of suspense the grand army Of Rose
Grams commenced Its forward movement, and
one fiuc day the rebel town where she was Inn
prisoncd was surprised and captured, and the
heroine of this tale was to her great JOY re-
leased. She Is now in this city visiting friends,
having arrived at the Biddlc House one day
last week.-Detroit Tribune.
Aor. m Rr,ourrn Moy pcus-The oldest