Born: 1833 (New Orleans, Louisiana)
Biography:
Pauline Cushman, born Harriet Wood on June 10, 1833, in New Orleans, Louisiana, was an American actress and a spy for the Union Army during the American Civil War. She is widely regarded as one of the most successful Civil War spies in history.
Harriet Wood, later known as Pauline Cushman, was the daughter of a Spanish merchant and a Frenchwoman, who was the daughter of one of Napoleon Bonaparte’s soldiers. She grew up in Grand Rapids, Michigan, along with her brother William. Her parents had moved there to establish a trading post with indigenous peoples.
In 1862, Cushman made her stage debut in Louisville, Kentucky, which was a Union-occupied city at the time. Inspired by her experience, she traveled to New York and adopted the stage name Pauline Cushman. Throughout her life, she was married to Jere Fryer, Charles C. Dickinson, and August Fichtner. She had three children named Charles, Ida, and Emma, who was adopted.
However, it was Cushman’s remarkable career as a spy that would define her legacy. After a performance in the North, she was paid by two local pro-Confederate men to toast Confederate President Jefferson Davis. Instead of following their plans, she decided to use this opportunity to offer her services as a spy for the Union.
Cushman managed to conceal battle plans and drawings in her shoes by fraternizing with rebel military commanders. However, she was caught twice in 1864 and brought before Confederate General Braxton Bragg. After a military court trial, she was sentenced to death by hanging. Despite being already ill, Cushman acted worse off than she was, leading the Confederates to postpone her execution.
Her life was spared by the invasion of the area by Union troops, but she was wounded twice during the war. Some reports suggest that she even returned to the South in male uniform to continue her espionage work. In recognition of her bravery and dedication, she was awarded the rank of brevet major by General James A. Garfield. President Abraham Lincoln also made her an honorary major for her service to the Federal cause.
Following the conclusion of the war in 1865, Cushman embarked on a nationwide tour, giving lectures on her incredible exploits as a Union spy. These lectures captivated audiences and solidified her reputation as a fearless and courageous woman who played a significant role in the Civil War.
In her later life, information about Cushman becomes scarce due to the secrecy surrounding her undercover activities. However, she continued working as an actress and participated in a tour celebrating her experiences as a Union spy.
Pauline Cushman’s contribution as a spy for the Union Army during the Civil War and her subsequent achievements as an actress and lecturer make her a remarkable figure in women’s history. Her bravery, intelligence, and unwavering dedication to the Union cause have left an indelible mark on American history.
Awards:
– Brevet Major awarded by General James A. Garfield
– Honorary Major awarded by President Abraham Lincoln