From Stage to Espionage
Pauline Cushman, born Harriet Wood in 1833, transitioned from acting to espionage during the American Civil War. Originally pursuing an acting career in New York, she later moved to Louisville, Kentucky. It was here, under Union control yet rife with Confederate sympathizers, that her life took a dramatic turn.
The Fateful Toast
Cushman was reportedly approached by Confederate officers during a performance of The Seven Sisters and offered money to toast Jefferson Davis. She informed Union authorities, who directed her to accept the dare as a cover. During the performance, she boldly raised her glass to the Confederacy, earning the ire of Union supporters and gaining access to Southern circles.
Capture and Survival
Cushman’s espionage came to an abrupt halt when Confederate forces discovered Union battle plans hidden in her boots. Sentenced to hang, her execution was delayed due to illness, and she was ultimately freed when Union forces captured Shelbyville, Tennessee.
Celebrity and Decline
After the war, she toured with P.T. Barnum, sharing tales of her adventures. Later in life, Cushman faced financial and personal struggles, passing away in 1893. She was buried with military honors, remembered simply as a “Union Spy.”
Pauline Cushman, born Harriet Wood, lived a double life few could imagine. An actress turned Civil War spy, she risked her life infiltrating Confederate circles while gathering intelligence for the Union. Her exploits combined daring acts with an extraordinary life story. pic.twitter.com/2dxnkFsKpZ
— Detective Tiger's Stories (@TigerDetective) December 25, 2024