Actress Pauline Cushman Was Civil War Spy
Woman Promoted to Honorary Major for Exploits Behind Rebel Lines
May 1, 2009
An impulsive woman whose imagination was fired by dreams of wild adventure, it only took the catalyst of an officer in the audience requesting a toast to Jeff Davis and the southern confederacy to ignite within her a desire to serve her country in a most unusual way.
Cushman obtained an interview with the provost marshal, Col. Moore, and convinced him she would be an ideal spy. The following night on stage, with all eyes riveted upon her, in the midst of her part she proposed an astounding toast: "Here's to Jeff Davis and the Southern Confederacy."
The audience reacted as though a shell had exploded in their midst. Those loyal to the union were indignant. Southern sympathizers were delighted. Prompt action was taken. Pauline was expelled from the theatrical company and sent south where she was heralded as a victim of Yankee tyranny.
Stage Set for Cushman Spying Career
The stage was set. Cushman was briefed on information needed from behind rebel lines. The plan worked until, returning to Nashville with information, she was arrested and grilled by Southern officers. She charmed the first, guerilla Jack Morgan, who offered her a diamond ring, impressed the second with her pluck, and won over the third with her dramatic charade.
Cushman ended up before General Braxton Bragg, was found guilty and condemned to hang. She feigned serious illness to buy time and as she was giving up hope the Union Army arrived and she was spared.
Wounded Spy Given Honorary Commission
Some reports say she returned south dressed in a male uniform; others say she continued to fraternize with rebel military commanders. She reportedly received two severe wounds. It is believed her honorary commission as a major was given by either General Garfield or Abraham Lincoln in consideration of her long and effective service, under conditions of danger and suffering.
Following the war, she toured the country as "Miss Major Cushman", giving lectures on her exploits as a spy.
There are conflicting accounts of her background. What is known is that she was born in New Orleans as Harriet Wood, moved with her family to Michigan and changed her name to Pauline Cushman when she went to New York to become an actress.
Some accounts say she married Charles Dickinson, a musician to whom she had two children before he joined the Union Army and died in 1862. She became allied with circus great P. T. Barnum, an alliance some feel may have led to exaggeration of her war exploits.
Others argue that since her undercover activities were of a secret nature, many facts about her life may for this reason not be known.
Pauline Cushman Died in Poverty
By 1892, it appears, she was living in poverty, but was able to get a pension based upon her first husband's service. A brief marriage with Jere Fryer ended in separation. She spent her final days in a San Francisco boarding house, crippled by rheumatism and arthritis and, at age 60, died of an overdose of pain medicine.
Her funeral was arranged by members of the Grand Army of the Republic and she was buried in the officer's circle at the Presidio's National Cemetery in San Francisco. Her grave is marked "Pauline C. Fryer, Union Spy."
Sources:
Moore, Frank, Women of the War: Their Heroism and Self-Sacrifice, pp. 170-175 (1867: Hartford)
Christen, William, Pauline Cushman: Spy of the Cumberland (2006: Edinborough Press)
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