Page:The Biographical Dictionary of America, vol. 03.djvu/102

 CUSHMAN

CUSHMAN

craft and disabled lier, Gushing swung his tor- I>edo sjxir under the great liulk and the exi)losion that followed rent an immense liole in the iron- clad's f?ide below the water line. The Albemarle filled and sank in a few minutes, lier crew es- caping to the shore. Gushing, with a word to liis companions, who were with him in the water, to look out for themselves, swam dc-..n stream for half a mile and then took to the swamp, tlirough which lie wandered for hours greatly exhaii- ted. Finally a friendly negro conveyed jiim tu the Federal gunboats at the mouth of the river. Of Ids companions two were drowned, others were taken prisoners and only one reached a place of safety. As Gushing left on his daring volunteer service, he laughingly remarked, " Another stripe or a coftin."" He received letters of commendation from the secretary' of the navy, the concurrent thanks of both houses of congress, and on Oct- 27, 1S(54. was promoted to the rank of lieutenant-commander. He buoyed out the channel of the baj- for the passage of the fleet in its attack on Fort Fisher, N.G., in December, 1S64, exposing himself in an open boat for six liours under fire from the fort till he accom- ]»lished the task. In the attack on the fort in January. 1865, he commanded a company of sailors and marines from the Jlonticello, landing tiiem on the sea front of the fort, and with them crossed the sands for one hundred j-ards under a short range fire from the fort. He then led the remnant over the parapet and aided the land forces in gaining possession of the fort. He next served on the Pacific and then on the Asiatic squadrons. He commanded the Lancaster, 1K66- 67, and the ManmeK, 1868-69. He was promoted commander, Jan. 31, 1872, the youngest officer of that rank in the navy, and was granted leave of absence on account of ill h.ealth. He died in "Washington, D.C.. l)e>-. 17.1^74.

CUSHMAN, Charlotte Saunders, actress, was born in Boston, Mass., July 23. 1816: daughter of Elkanah and Mary Eliza (Babbit) Guslunan; and eighth in descent from Robert Gushman, the colonist. In 1829 lier father's death made it necessary for lier to leave school to eke out the family income by singing in church and on public orcasions. Her mother at great self sacrifice procuretl les,sons for her and later a friend of the family furnished her with tl:e means for obtain- ing the be.st instruction Bo.ston afforded. By ciiance she was brought to the notice of Mrs. Joseph Wood, an Engli.sh singer, who arranged with James G. Maeder to fit her for an opera sinccer. She made her debut at the Treniont theatre, Boston, April 8, 183.'), as Gountess Alma- viva in the " Marriage of Fipjaro," and during this engagement also sanpj in " Guy Mannering." Later she appeared in New Orleans, La., where

her voice was impaired from overstraining, and by advice of Manager James Galdwell of the Gamp street theatre, New Orleans, she decided to try the dramatic stage. After careful study slie played Lady Macbeth to the ilacbeth of William Barton. This led to a three years' en- gagement to play

leading roles at y/^~Zr^^i

the Bowery thea- tre in New York city, where she opened Sept. 12, 1836. Shortly

afterward this theatre was de- stroyed by fire and her contract can- celled. She then secured an en- gagement at Al- bany, N.Y., where she was retained for five months. At the close of the Albany season in 1837 she returned to New York city and for two years played utility parts at the Park theatre. In 1889 she appeared in support of Macready, the Eng- lish actor, and later toured the nortliern states in his companj-. During the season of 1842-43 .she successfully managed the Walnut street theatre, Philadelphia, and won special notice as Romeo to the Juliet of her sister Susan. In 1844, accom- panied by her sister, she sailed for London, Eng- land, where she appeared, Feb. 14, 1845, as Bianca in "Fazio." She subsequentlj' appeared in Liverpool, Manchester, Dublin, and other cities of the British Isles, and returned to the United States in 1849. Tours of the United States alternated with tours of England from that time till 1858, when she retired and took up her residence in Rome, Italy, making but occasional tours in America and Europe. In 1870 she returned to the stage and remained before the public as an actress and reader for about four years. Her last tour came to an end on Nov. 7. 1874, at Booth's theatre. New York city, Avitli a testimonial performance of "Macbeth," at the close of which she was presented with a laurel wreath by the Arcadian club. William Gullen Bryant delivered the presentation address and Gharles Roberts read an ode, " Salve Regina, " composed for the occasion by Richard Henry Stoddard. She was tendered a similar ovation in her native city on May 15, 1875, when she played " Lady Macbeth " at the Globe theatre. Her final appearance on any stage was as a reader at Easton, Pa., June 2, 1875, and the re- mainder of her life was spent in NewTxirt, R.I., Ashland, and Boston. Mass. Her greatest char-