Dora

 No, not the explorer.

Dora of the Cumberland; although, she did some exploring  as a Union spy, sometimes in male clothing, sometimes in female garb.  Her prowess led some to compare her to Pauline Cushman.  And, like Cushman, Dora was born a Southerner.  While the former woman was born in New Orleans, the latter was born in Tennessee, east Tennessee to be precise. And, like many in that area, harbored Union sympathies.   


The novel, Dora, the Heroine of the Cumberland, published by Barclay and Co. in 1864, opens in the Volunteer state with the heroine as a prisoner of the Confederates, having been captured while carrying dispatches from General Grant.  Destitute, Dora began to sing in her jail cell, the pleasing melody in turn capturing the Confederates who were enthralled with her sweet voice.  They so enjoyed her talent that they asked her to continue singing.  Seeing an opportunity, Dora replied that she could no longer sing while confined and that she needed to experience freedom outside her jail cell in order to continue her sweet songs.  This prompted a gullible Confederate major to take her to a clearing where he seated himself upon a fallen log next to a drop that lead to a river.  Of course, Dora pushed him off the log and into the water, which enabled her to escape.

As Dora explained, "It was just a trial of woman's wit against man's brute strength."

The heroine wasn't done yet as she went on more missions given to  her by Grant himself.  And through all of her adventures, which took her across Tennessee, Missouri, and Mississippi, Dora carried with her a secret identity that is revealed at the end.  Who was she?  Did she survive?

You can read the wartime novel for free by clicking (HERE).  Then choose an option from the menu on the left.

Click (HERE) to read a previous blog post I wrote about two other wartime novels.