During the Civil War, Robert Smalls emerged as a forgotten hero whose remarkable story deserves to be remembered and celebrated. Born into slavery in Beaufort, South Carolina in 1839, Smalls would go on to defy the odds and become a legendary figure in American history.
At a young age, Smalls was hired out by his owner to work in Charleston, where he eventually became a skilled stevedore and sailor. His knowledge of the waterways and the harbor would prove to be crucial in his daring escape to freedom later on.
In May 1862, Smalls, who was working on a Confederate transport ship called the CSS Planter, saw an opportunity for escape. In the dead of night, he and a small group of fellow enslaved crewmembers devised a daring plan to seize control of the ship and sail it past Confederate checkpoints to the Union blockade.
Taking advantage of his knowledge of the ship and its operations, Smalls dressed in the captain’s uniform and, under the cover of darkness, guided the Planter out of Charleston harbor. Despite being stopped at several Confederate checkpoints, Smalls utilized clever tactics and bluffed his way past them, ultimately reaching the safety of the Union blockade.
Upon reaching Union forces, Smalls and his fellow escapees were hailed as heroes and celebrated for their audacious act of bravery. Smalls’ actions not only secured his own freedom but also led to the rescue of his family and several other enslaved individuals who were on board the Planter.
After his escape, Smalls became an influential figure in the Union navy, serving as a pilot and captain of various vessels. He participated in several key battles and campaigns, including the famous attack on Fort Sumter in Charleston harbor.
Following the end of the Civil War, Smalls continued to be a trailblazer in politics and civil rights. He became a prominent leader in the Republican Party in South Carolina, served in the state legislature and the U.S. House of Representatives, and fought tirelessly for the rights of African Americans.
Despite his remarkable courage and contributions to American history, Robert Smalls’ story has been largely overlooked and overshadowed by other more well-known figures of the Civil War era. However, his legacy as a freedom fighter, naval hero, and trailblazer for civil rights deserves to be remembered and celebrated.
In his incredible journey from slavery to freedom to political leadership, Robert Smalls exemplified the spirit of resilience, determination, and courage. His story serves as a testament to the strength and resilience of the human spirit in the face of adversity, and his legacy continues to inspire and resonate with people to this day.
