Description

From the stage to subterfuge-a spy's story in her own words

Born Harriet Wood in 1833, New Orleans the subject of this remarkable book made her stage debut as an actress in Louisville, Kentucky in 1862. From there she moved to New York where she adopted the stage name, Pauline Cushman. After one performance Pauline accepted money to toast the Confederate President, Jefferson Davis which resulted in her dismissal. However, Cushman decided to put her good offices with the Confederacy to good purpose by becoming a Union spy. Her dramatic experience proved invaluable, because she was initially extremely successful, fraternising with senior enemy army officers and gaining important information- sometimes concealing battle-plans in her shoes. Her good fortune eventually expired and she was caught in 1864 on two occasions. Pauline was brought before Braxton Bragg and sentenced to death, but the execution was postponed and she escaped the noose when Union troops occupied the area. Nevertheless, her escapades resulted in two woundings and some sources suggest she also even spied wearing uniform. Cushman was awarded the rank of brevet major by General James Garfield and she was further made an honorary major by President Lincoln. Thereafter, she became known as 'Miss Major Pauline Cushman' and by 1865 and the close of the American Civil War she was operating lecture tours. In common which several of her contemporaries Pauline became the subject of an account of her adventures -almost certainly embellished with advantages. Nevertheless, hers is a remarkable story of a brave and resolute patriot. This edition includes another short biographical essay for context.

Leonaur editions are newly typeset and are not facsimiles; each title is available in softcover and hardback with dustjacket.