The Potter journal. [volume] (Coudersport, Pa.) 1857-1872, 1864-06-22
Miss Major Pauline Cushfnan

Among the women of America who
have made themselves famous since the
Opening of the rebellion. few nave suf
fered more or rendered more service to
the Federal cause, than Miss Major
Pauline Cushmau, the femals scout and
spy. At the commencement If hosrlltles
she resided 10 Cleveland, Ohio, and was
quite we'll known as a clever actress.
FROM Cleveland she went to Louisville.
where SHE had an engagement 10 Wood 5
Theatre. Here, by her intimacy with
certain Rebel officers, she incurred the
sus picion of bciug a Rebel, and was ar
rested BY the Federal authorities. She
indignantly deaied that she was Rebel,
although born at the South, and having
brother in a Rebel Missouri regiment.
La order to test her love for the old
fag. she was asked if she would enter the
secret service of the Government. She
readily consented, aud was at once EN-
ployed to carry letters between Louisville
and Nashville She was subsequently
employed by Gen. Rcsencrans, and Wss
for uany mouths with the Army of the
Gun berland She visited the Rebel
lines time after time, and was thoroughly
acquaiuted with all the country aud roads
in Tennessee, Northern Georgia, Ala.
bama and Mississippi, in which sections
she rendered our armies Invaluable SER
vice She was twice suspected Of being
spy, aud taken prisoner, bat managed
to escape.
At last, however, she was not so for
tunate. After our forces had captured
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 a horse, aud in charge of two scouts
was being taken to Spring Hill, the head
quarters of Forest.
While ON the way to this place, she
feigued sickness, and said she could not
travel any further without falling from
her horse. Her captors stopped at a
house By the roadside, when it was ascer-
taired .hat Federal scouting party had
passed the houSean hour before Knowing
tLat heF guards had important papers for
Gen. Bragg, the quick witted spy seized
the fact aud scbemed to use it 20 her ad-
vantage.
Seeing an old negro, who appeared to
commiserate her unfortunate plight, she
watched her opportunity and placed $40
in Tennessee money in lis hands, saying,
Run up the road, Uuele, aud 6ome back
in few minutes, telling us that four
hundred Federals are coming down the
street" The faithful negro obeyed the
order literally, aud soon came back in the
greatest excitement, telling the story -
The two "Rebs." told him he lied The
DID coIored mao got down on his knees.
saving, "Massa, dey's cumin' sure naff
1e Lord help US. dey is cumn
The scouts, at this. Believed his story,
mounted their horses, and "skedaddled J
for the woods. Miss Cushman, seizing
pist oil belonging to wounded soldier in
the house, also mounted her horse and
He'd toward franklin She travelled
thro ugh the rain, and after nightfaIl lost
her way Soon came the challenge of a
picket. "WhO comes there? ?" Thinking
she had reached the Rebel line, she said,
A friend Of JEFF. Davis" "All right.
was the reply, advance and give the
She presented the oountersfgn IN the
shape of canteen of whisky. She pass
81 6se pickets in this Say. but the sixth
lni last was obdurate. She pleaded that