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Pauline Cushman

Pauline Cushman
Artist
Abraham Bogardus, 29 Nov 1822 - 22 Mar 1908
Publisher
E. & H. T. Anthony & Company, active 1852 - 1901
Sitter
Pauline Cushman, 10 Jun 1833 - 2 Dec 1893
Date
c. 1864
Type
Photograph
Medium
Albumen silver print
Dimensions
Image/Sheet: 8.7 × 5.5 cm (3 7/16 × 2 3/16")
Mount: 10 × 6.1 cm (3 15/16 × 2 3/8")
Mat: 45.8 × 35.6 cm (18 1/16 × 14")
Topic
Costume\Jewelry
Interior
Costume\Jewelry\Ring
Weapon
Weapon\Sword
Photographic format\Carte-de-visite
Costume\Jewelry\Pin
Costume\Dress Accessory\Belt
Pauline Cushman: Female
Pauline Cushman: Performing Arts\Performer\Actor
Pauline Cushman: Military and Intelligence\Intelligence agent\Spy
Portrait
Place
United States\New York\Kings\New York
Credit Line
National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution
Restrictions & Rights
CC0
Object number
NPG.2013.107
Exhibition Label
Born New Orleans, Louisiana
In 1862 Pauline Cushman was a struggling actress employed in a Louisville playhouse when a new opportunity soon presented itself, however: the chance to spy for the Union. In lace and petticoats, she became a camp follower of the Confederate army in Kentucky and Tennessee. Her allure and beauty aided her in obtaining valuable information for the federal army. Yet the frustrated actress soon proved to be wanting at spying as well. She aroused suspicions and was finally caught with secret papers. General Braxton Bragg had her tried, and a military court sentenced her to hang, whereupon her health broke and her sentence was delayed. Then military operations intervened. Bragg moved his army, leaving Cushman behind. Rescued by Yankees at Shelbyville, Tennessee, she traveled north to much acclaim. President Lincoln made her an honorary major, and Cushman, wearing her new uniform, lectured about her clandestine adventures behind rebel lines.
Nacida en New Orleans, Louisiana
Pauline Cushman luchaba por subsistir como actriz en un teatro de Louisville cuando, en 1862, se le presentó una nueva oportunidad: hacerse espía de la Unión. Entre encajes y lazos se infiltró en los campamentos del ejército confederado en Kentucky y Tennessee, donde su belleza y encanto le ayudaron a obtener valiosa información para el ejército federalista. Pero la actriz frustrada pronto resultó ser mala espía también. Empezó a despertar sospechas y finalmente la descubrieron en posesión de documentos secretos. El general Braxton Bragg la sometió a juicio y una corte militar la sentenció a la horca, a raíz de lo cual enfermó y la ejecución fue pospuesta. Entonces tomaron precedencia las operaciones militares y Bragg trasladó a su ejército, dejando atrás a Cushman. Rescatada por los yanquis en Shelbyville, Tennessee, llegó al norte rodeada de elogios y el presidente Lincoln le otorgó el rango honorario de mayor del ejército. Vistiendo su nuevo uniforme, Cushman se dedicó a dar conferencias sobre sus aventuras clandestinas tras las filas rebeldes.
Data Source
National Portrait Gallery
Location
Currently not on view