The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1864-06-27
Monday Morning, June 81, 1864.
Miss Major Pauline Cushmau, the Fedora
Scout aud Spy.

Among the women of America who have
made themselves famous since the opening OF
the rebellion, few have suffered more, or rem
dered more service TO the federal cause than
Miss Major Pauline Cushman, the female
scout aud spy. At the commencement OF
hostilities she resided 10 Cleveland, Ohio, and
was quite well known as a clever actress.
From Cleveland she went 10 Louisville,
where she had an engagement In Woods
Theatre. Here by her intimacy with certain
rebel officers, she incurred the suspicion of
being rebel, and was arrested by The federal
authorities. She Indignantly denied that
she was a 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 il she would enter the secret
service OF the government. She readily con-
sented, aud was at once employed 10 carry
letters between Louisville and Nashville.
She was subsequently employed by General
Roseerans, and. was for many months with
the Army OF the Cumberland. She visited
the rebel lines time after time, and was thor
oughly acquainted with al the country and
roads in Tennessee, Northern Georgia, Ala
bama and Mississippi. in which capacity she
rendered invaluable service. She was twice
suspected 0. being spy, and taken prisoner,
but managed to escape.
At last, however, she was not so fortunate.
Alter our forces had captured Nashville,
Major Cushman made scout towards Shell
byville TO obtain information of the strength
and position Of the enemy, and while return
Ing TO Nashville, was captured on the Hardid
pike, eleven miles from the latter city. She
was placed on horse, and, In charge of two
scouts, was being taken TO Spring Hill, the
headquarters of Forrest.
WhIls on the way TO this place, she feigned
sickness and said she could not travel any
further without falling from her horse. Her
captors stopped at house on the roadside,
when 1t was ascerained that a federal scout
ing party had passed tie place an hour be-
fore. Knowing that her guards had impor-
tant papers for Gen. Bragg, the quick-witted
spy seized the fact and schemed TO use It TO
her advantafe.
Seeing an old negro, who appeared TO COM
miserate her unfortunate plight. she watched
her opportunity and placed SO In Tennessee
money in his hand, saying: "rua up the road,
sUncle,' and come back in few minutes,
telling us that iour 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 'rebs' told him he lied The old
colored man got down on his knees, saying:
@Massa, dey's comm, sure nuff; de Lord help
us, dey Is cumin.D The sc us at this be-
iev-d the ory, mounted their horses, and
"skedaddlsd' Tor the woods. Miss Cushman,
seizing pistol belonging 10 a wounded SOL
der In the house, also mounted her horse
and fed towards Franklin. She travelled
through the rain, aud, after nightfall, lost her
way. Soon came the challenge of picket
"Who comes ihere?' Thinking she had
reached the rebel line she said "a friend OF
"Jeff Davis" "All right" was the reply,
"advance aud give the counterslgn."
She present. d the counter ign Ia the shape
OF a canteen Of whisky. She passed five
pickets In this way. but the sixth and last was
obdurate. She pleaded that she was going to
zee sick uncle at Franklin, but the sentry
couldn'tsee H. Sick and disheartened she
turned back. Seeing light at farm house
she sought shelter. An old man received her
kindly, showed her a room, and said he would
awake her At an early hour In the morning,
and show her the road 10 Franklin.
A loud knock awoke her IN the morning
from her lethean slnmbers. and upon arousing,
she found ber horse saddled and the two
guards from whom she had escaped the pre-
yious afternoon. She was taken 10 the head
quarters Of Forrest, and he sent her amer
critical examination, TO Gen. Bragg Moth
ing could be fonnd against her, until q seccsh
woman stole her gaiters. under the inner sole
OF which were found important documents
which clearly proved her to be spy. She
was tried and condemned 10 be executed as
aspy, but being sick, her execution was post
poned. She finally, afler lying 10 prison three
months, sent for Gen. Bragg. aud asked him
II he had no mercy. She received from him,
the comforting assurance that he should make
an example OF her and that he should hang
her as soon as she got well enough TO be hung
decenuy.
While In this state Of suspense the grand
- D. H. r.
movement, and one fine day the rebel town
where she was imprisoned, was surprised and
captured, and the heroine Of this tale was TO
her great Joy released Tribune.