Robert Smalls was a remarkable man who became a hero during the American Civil War. Born into slavery in Beaufort, South Carolina, in 1839, he worked as a lab orer, shipbuilder, and stevedore. In 1861, he was hired as a wheelman, a skilled navigator, on the CSS Planter, a steamship that was part of the Confederate Navy.
On the night of May 12, 1862, Smalls and a few other enslaved crew members decided to make a daring escape. They waited until the white officers were ashore, and then Smalls took command of the ship. He donned the captain's uniform and hat, and the crew hoisted the Confederate flag. The Planter sailed past several Confederate forts, and Smalls used the correct signals and codes to avoid detection. They eventually passed the Union blockade and reached the safety of Union-held waters.
Smalls' bravery was a turning point in the war. He delivered the Planter and its valuable cargo, which included four heavy guns and other supplies, to the Union Navy. The Confederate Navy was shocked and embarrassed that a group of slaves had successfully stolen one of their ships. Smalls' escape also helped to shift public opinion in the North and abroad, as he became a symbol of the bravery and intelligence of enslaved people.
After the war, Smalls returned to South Carolina and worked to help his fellow African Americans. He served as a delegate to the South Carolina Constitutional Convention in 1868 and was later elected to the state legislature and the U.S. House of Representatives. He fought for civil rights and social justice until his death in 1915.
Robert Smalls' story is a testament to the power of courage, intelligence, and determination. He risked his life to escape slavery and played a crucial role in the Union's victory over the Confederacy. His legacy reminds us of the contributions and sacrifices of African Americans throughout American history, and his bravery continues to inspire people around the world.
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