During the Civil War, many brave individuals risked their lives to fight for freedom and equality. While names like Abraham Lincoln and Harriet Tubman are commonly remembered for their roles in the fight against slavery, there are countless others who have been largely forgotten by history. One such unsung hero is Robert Smalls, a man who overcame incredible odds to make a significant impact on the outcome of the war.
Robert Smalls was born into slavery in Beaufort, South Carolina in 1839. Despite his enslaved status, Smalls had a remarkable intellect and a strong will to succeed. At the age of 12, he was hired out to work in Charleston, where he learned valuable skills that would serve him well in the years to come. Smalls eventually became a skilled boat pilot, and by the time the Civil War broke out, he was serving as a wheelman on a Confederate transport ship called the Planter.
It was on the night of May 12, 1862 that Smalls made his daring escape to freedom. Under the cover of darkness, Smalls, along with a small group of fellow enslaved individuals, managed to take control of the Planter and sail it out of Charleston Harbor. In a bold move that required nerves of steel, Smalls donned a captain’s hat and used the secret signals he had learned from observing the ship’s captain to pass through the Confederate checkpoints unchallenged.
Once out of harm’s way, Smalls made a beeline for the Union blockade, where he and his companions surrendered to Union forces. The Planter and its valuable cargo of cannons and ammunition were turned over to the Union, and Smalls’ bravery and quick thinking earned him instant fame and recognition. He became a hero and a symbol of hope for enslaved individuals everywhere.
In the years following his escape, Smalls went on to serve as a pilot for the Union Navy, participating in numerous battles and military campaigns. He also played a key role in recruiting African American soldiers to fight for the Union cause. After the war, Smalls continued his fight for civil rights and equality, becoming a prominent politician and serving in the South Carolina State Legislature and the U.S. House of Representatives.
Despite his many accomplishments and contributions to the fight against slavery and injustice, Robert Smalls remains relatively unknown to many Americans today. His daring escape and subsequent service to the Union cause are a testament to the bravery and resilience of enslaved individuals during one of the darkest chapters in American history. It is time for us to remember and celebrate the legacy of this unsung hero of the Civil War.
