Among the women of america who have made themselves famous since the opening of the rebellion, few have suffered more or rendered more service to the federal cause than miss maj. This biography of pauline cushman was written in 1865 by her friend, ferdinand sarmiento, prepared from her notes and memoranda. The loyal unionists gravestone lies in a cemetery in arizona, which is where she retired in her old age, remarried, and changed her name to pauline c. Pauline cushman used her skills as an actress to pretend that she supported the. In 1865, a friend, ferdinand sarmiento, wrote an exaggerated biography titled the life of pauline cushman. Pauline cushman quit acting to become a civil war spy rare. Mar 27, 2017 tarilling 1 adventure of miss major pauline cushmanher performance as a spya narrow escape from a disagreeable death. One of the most dramatic heroines of the american civil war, pauline cushman acted as a union spy and scout while behind enemy lines in the south. Life of pauline cushman this biography of pauline cushman was written in 1865 by her friend, ferdinand sarmiento, prepared from her notes and memoranda. Discover delightful childrens books with prime book box, a subscription that. Among the women of america who have made themselves famous since the opening of the rebellion, few have suffered more, or rendered more service to the federal cause than miss major pauline. She was eventually captured, brought before general nathan bedford forest, and sent to general bragg for prosecution. Pauline cushman was an actress who became a celebrated spy for the union army during the civil war, a hotel proprietress, the wife of a sheriff and in the end, a poor scrubwoman. The actress who left the stage to become a civil war spy.
Pauline cushman, an actress, is known as a union spy during the american civil war. Pauline cushman author of schaums outline handbook of. Major pauline cushmanfryer was an actress turned union spy during the civil war. She was also known by her last married name, pauline fryer, or her birth name, harriet wood. Pauline cushman was an american actress and a spy for the union army during the american civil war. Life of pauline cushman by pauline cushman overdrive. Title actress and union spy pauline cushman in uniform with sword created published new york. Born in new orleans, paulines family later relocated to michigan. Life of pauline cushman,the celebrated union spy and scout. Her entry into the secret service of the army of the cumberland, and exciting adventure with the rebel chieftains and others while within the enemys lines. This nonfiction book tells the story of pauline cushman, an actress who became a spy for the union during the civil war. Life of pauline cushman, the celebrated union spy and scout.
She is considered one of the most successful civil war spies. Comprising her early history, her entry into the secret service of the army of the cumberland, and exciting adventures with the rebel chieftains and others while within the. American actress and a spy for the union army during the american civil war. Pauline cushman june 10, 1833 december 2, 1893 was an american actress, and a spy for the union army during the american civil war. Jefferson davis after a performance, which resulted in her being fired from her roles in her northern theater but was actually a plan to ingratiate herself with the enemy as a. In 1863, during the civil war, she was presented with the greatest acting role of her life. Jan 03, 20 pauline cushman was a stage actress who later became a spy for the union army born harriett wood in new orleans on june 10, 1833, cushman was raised in michigan but returned to louisiana at age 18 to became a stage actress, eventually changing her name to pauline cushman. Her entry into the secret service of the army of the. In 1863, a new opportunity presented itself, the chance to spy for the union. Miss major pauline cushman, the union spy and scout, who. Born june 10, 1833 new orleans, louisiana died december 2, 1893 san francisco, california. Pauline cushman was known as a spy in the civil war for the union who was caught and nearly executed.
Pauline cushman 18331897 was an aspiring actress when she was asked to toast csa pres. Pauline loved the bustle of the wharves and the excitement of the marketplace. Aug 12, 2019 actress pauline cushman 18331893 was a union spy and became a major celebrity. Her entry into the secret service of the army of the cumberland. Little did he know the new role she was about to play. His most recent presentation to the roundtable was a photograph of the 17th michigan. Comprising her early history, her entry into the secret service of the army of the cumberland, and exciting adventures with the rebel.
June 10, 1833 december 2, 1893 was an american actress and a spy for the union army during the american civil war. June, 1863 pauline cushman is rescued by union troops marching into shelbyville. Together with her capture an,life of pauline cushman,9781429015455,biography,asa bibliography. Born in new orleans, pauline s family later relocated to michigan. While touring with a theatrical troupe in unioncontrolled louisville, kentucky, pauline was paid to toast confederate president jefferson davis after a performance. Actress and union spy pauline cushman in uniform with sword. General bragg and fonal rescue by the union army under. Many consider the story exaggerated, but given the nature of the secret work she was doing on behalf of the union, the lack of corraborative information available at the time may have made her real deeds unprovable. Union spy pauline cushman, civil war cdv cowans auction. Contentsshow early life pauline was born in new orleans, louisiana as harriet wood, and moved with her family to live in michigan.
Cushman, pauline, 183593, union spy in the civil war, b. The actress who left the stage to become a civil war spy at. Pauline cushman is the author of life of pauline cushman 0. Tarilling 1 adventure of miss major pauline cushmanher performance as a spya narrow escape from a disagreeable death. Major pauline cushman the confederation of union generals. In a play that required her character to give a toast, she was dared on one occasion to toast jefferson davis. Born harriet wood in new orleans, she was raised in grand rapids, michigan, became a highly successful stage actress using the name pauline cushman. Together with her capture and sentence to death by general bragg and final rescue by the union army under general rosecrans. Too well known to be of any service to the union the spy of the cumberland as she. While touring with a theatrical troupe in union controlled louisville, kentucky, pauline was paid to toast confederate president jefferson davis after a performance.
After being fired from the theater, she began spying on the confederacy and jefferson davis, becoming friends with confederate officers. Spy of the cumberland 9781889020112 by christen, william j. These include maps of battle plans concealed in her shoes and battle strategies she reported to the union may 27, 1863. Major pauline cushman lived a life full of adventure and travel. Npg, mathew brady studio, 1864 kate bateman 18421917 made her acting debut at age 4. The actress who left the stage to become a civil war spy at the. Pauline cushman was a spy for the union during the civil war, eventually promoted to the rank of major. Her father was a merchant, and the family lived in the heart of the city. Her entry into the secret service of the army of the cumberland, and exciting adventures with the rebel chieftains and others while within the enemys lines. Actress pauline cushman 18331893 was a union spy and became a major celebrity. She lost her child to sickness by 1868, and married again in 1872 in san francisco, but was widowed within a year.
Pauline cushman, spy of the cumberland a photograph of the. Tom thomas could that be his real name chooses to tell pauline s story through the eyes of her sister, henrietta woods black. During her heyday, pauline was toasted nationwide as the scout of. Pauline cushman is born as harriet wood in new orleans, louisiana on 10 june 1833. Major cushmans remains now rest in the officers circle at the presidios national cemetery in san francisco. Major pauline cushman is buried in the officers section of the presidio. Jan 24, 2016 tom thomas the lady was a spy is an ambitious and auspicious debut. In reality, she collected information about confederate spies and strategies and passed it along to union. Pauline cushman, now featured in a smithsonian photography exhibition, unexpectedly found herself spying for the union after accepting a. Barnum caught wind of her story, and decided to kickstart her national theatrical tour, miss major pauline cushman, the union scout and spy. She was born as harriett wood in new orleans on june 10, 1833. Born harriett wood in new orleans on june 10, 1833, cushman was raised in michigan but returned to louisiana at age 18 to became a stage actress, eventually changing her name to pauline cushman. She spent the majority of her life pursuing a career as an actress. Together with her capture and sentence to death by general bragg and final rescue.
Pauline cushman was a stage actress who later became a spy for the union army. Actress and union spy pauline cushman in uniform with. Pauline cushman used her skills as an actress to pretend that she supported the confederate cause during the civil war. Tom thomas the lady was a spy is an ambitious and auspicious debut. In lace and petticoats, she became a camp follower of the confederate army in kentucky and tennessee. Miss major pauline cushman, the union spy and scout, who was. Union spyplaying troops in tennessee pauline cushman travels and peforms for confederate forces in tennessee, georgia, and virginia in order to gather information from the troops. In 1863 she was banished to confederate lines as a supposed southern sympathizer, when in reality she had already performed valuable services for union intelligence in louisville and nashville.
Rosecrans from photographic negative in bradys national portrait gallery. Harriet wood, who later adopted the stage name of pauline cushman, was. Pauline cushman was a stage actress who later became a spy for the union army born harriett wood in new orleans on june 10, 1833, cushman was raised in michigan but returned to louisiana at age 18 to became a stage actress, eventually changing her name to pauline cushman. Tom thomas could that be his real name chooses to tell paulines story through the eyes of her sister, henrietta woods black. Thrilling adventures of pauline cushman, the distinguished american actress and famous federal spy of the department of the cumberland. Pauline would again travel to new orleans where she performed in a theater, met and married her husband, charles dickinson. The theater fired her because she was now perceived as a southern sympathizer. Mar 16, 2018 major pauline cushman lived a life full of adventure and travel. Pauline cushman 18331893 in 1862, pauline cushman was a struggling actress employed in a louisville playhouse. At the age of eighteen, she traveled to new york city to become a stage actress. Together with her capture and sentence to death by general bragg and final rescue by the union army under general. Major pauline cushman, spy of the cumberland posts facebook.
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