This biography of Pauline Cushman was written in 1865 by her friend, Ferdinand Sarmiento, "prepared from her notes and memoranda." Many consider the story exaggerated, but given the nature of the secret work she was doing on behalf of the Union, the lack of corraborative information available at the time may have made her real deeds unprovable. Abraham Lincoln gave her an honorary commission, and she became known as Miss Major Cushman.