Pauline Cushman (Born Harriet Wood) (June 10, 1833 – December 2, 1897), was an American actress and a spy for the Union Army during the American Civil War.
Pauline Cushman's Life:
Paulien Cushman was born as Harriet Wood on June 10th 1833 in New Orleans, Louisiana. She has seven brothers. When she was eighteen she left home and became an actress. She then decided to change her name to Pauline Cushman. One night some Confederate Officers offered her 300 dollars to toast Southern Preisdent Jefferson Davis during her next performance. The theater company fired her and Union officials arrested her holding her long enough to fool the Confederates.She became a heroine over night.Southerns believed in he rloyalty and told her about blockade running counter spying.She got all information she could and told Colonal Moore, a federal provost marshal. Officials then pretended to throw her out of Union Territory. She began to follow the Confederate army and claimed to be looking for her lost brother a rebel soldier.Her knowledge of back roads helped her lead Union troups.Pauline's activities caught the eye of Colonal William Truesdail. He told Pauline that he had a dangerous mission for me.He wanted me to visit General Braxton Bragg's 5 camps.When i reached enemy pickets lines i showed my papers, i requested a meating with the commander. I told him about my deisre to find my lost brother. It was a trick so i could get in and find information about the rebels.I asked for help and protection. As i went thorugh other camps i noticed details od rebel defences and weapons.I was sent out of Nashville in 1863 just before my 30th birthday.When i was outside of Nashville there was a man waiting for me and i got on a bay horse and galloped away. I ended up in Franklin Hotel. I saw a man drawing plans of rebel defences. I soon won his trust and stole his plans without him knowing. I then went to the Union lines. I passed the first 5 guards but when i reached the 6th i was arrested by 4 scouts since i didnt have a pass to get through. They brought me to General Nathan Bedford Forrest. Forrest ordered me to be taken to General Bragg in Shelbyville.He questioned me and we talked, I was in a lot of trouble. I was ordered to be hung (killed).i was rescued and nursed. My service was considered a big help. After the war a published a book called "The thrilling Adventures of Pauline Cushman. I then returned to my life as an actress. One morning on December 2nd 1893 my landlady found me uncontious in the boarding room. I died later that afternoon and was provided a very sweet funeral with full military honors. My body is placed in the officers cirlce in the national cemetery in San Frinsisco California in Presidio. THE END