Robert Smalls
Robert Smalls (April 5, 1839 – February 23, 1915) was an American politician, publisher, businessman, and Maritime pilot. Born into slavery in Beaufort, South Carolina. He freed himself, his friends, and their families during the American Civil War. He did this by commandeering a Confederate transport ship, CSS Planter, in Charleston harbor, on May 13, 1862. He then sailed it from Confederate-controlled waters of the harbor to the U.S. blockade that surrounded it. He then piloted the ship to the Union-controlled enclave in Beaufort–Port Royal–Hilton Head area, where it became a Union warship. His example and persuasion helped convince President Abraham Lincoln to allow African-American soldiers into the Union Army.
Robert Smalls | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from South Carolina's 7th district | |
| In office March 18, 1884 – March 3, 1887 | |
| Preceded by | Edmund W. M. Mackey |
| Succeeded by | William Elliott |
| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from South Carolina's 5th district | |
| In office July 19, 1882 – March 3, 1883 | |
| Preceded by | George D. Tillman |
| Succeeded by | John J. Hemphill |
| In office March 4, 1875 – March 3, 1879 | |
| Preceded by | District re-established John D. Ashmore before district eliminated after 1860 |
| Succeeded by | George D. Tillman |
| Member of the South Carolina Senate from Beaufort County | |
| In office November 22, 1870 – March 4, 1875 | |
| Preceded by | Jonathan Jasper Wright |
| Succeeded by | Samuel Greene |
| Member of the South Carolina House of Representatives from Beaufort County | |
| In office November 24, 1868 – November 22, 1870 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | April 5, 1839 Beaufort, South Carolina |
| Died | February 23, 1915 (aged 75) Beaufort, South Carolina |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse(s) |
|
| Children | 4 |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance | United States of America |
| Branch/service |  United States Navy United States Army |
| Years of service | 1862–1868 |
| Rank | None (civilian pilot and armed transport captain) |
| Battles/wars | Blockade of Charleston
17 battles including Sherman's March to the Sea |
Early life
Robert Smalls was born in 1839 to Lydia Polite, a slave owned by Henry McKee.[1] She gave birth to him in a cabin behind McKee's house, at 511 Prince Street in Beaufort, South Carolina.[2] He grew up in the city under the influence of the Lowcountry Gullah culture of his mother. His mother lived as a servant in the house, but she grew up in the fields. Robert was liked more than other slaves, so his mother worried that he might grow up not understanding the troubles of field slaves. She asked for him to be made to work in the fields and to see whipping.[3]
Robert Smalls Media
The gunboat CSS Planter, run out of Charleston by Robert Smalls in May 1862
Map of early African-American involvement in the Civil War, including Robert Smalls's liberation of the Planter
Robert Smalls (7222835684)
Gillmore's approaches on Fort Wagner, Morris Island, July 1863 before the Second Battle of Fort Wagner. Lighthouse where Smalls served is marked on southern end of Morris Island.
Richard Gleaves, Smalls's business partner after the war
George D. Tillman, one of Smalls's chief rivals in Congressional races
Illustration of Robert Smalls by Charles Alston
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References
- ↑ "Robert Smalls :: A Traveling Exhibition". October 23, 2017. Archived from the original on October 23, 2017. Retrieved October 3, 2020.
- ↑ Westwood, Howard (1991). Black Troops, White Commanders and Freedmen During the Civil War. SIU Press. pp. 74–85.
- ↑ Gates, Henry Louis Jr. (January 13, 2013). "Which Slave Sailed Himself to Freedom?". pbs.org. PBS. Retrieved August 19, 2018.
Other websites
- Q&A interview with Cate Lineberry on her book Be Free or Die: The Amazing Story of Robert Smalls' Escape from Slavery to Union Hero, August 6, 2017, C-SPAN
- Entry from the House of Representatives
- In the episode "Robert Smalls" of the podcast Criminal, published on June 19, 2020, Phoebe Judge tells the story of Robert Smalls.
- United States Congress. "Robert Smalls (id: S000502)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.
- Robert Smalls: Former Slave and Civil War Hero, Hagley Museum and Library
- In the episode "The Wheel" Archived 2020-06-29 at the Wayback Machine of the podcast The Memory Palace, published on February 10, 2016, Nate DiMeo tells the story of Robert Smalls.
- Robert Smalls at Find a Grave
- The episodes "The Incredible Escape of Robert Smalls" published on February 15, 2016 and "Robert Smalls: From Contraband to Congress" published on February 17, 2016 of the podcast Stuff You Missed in History Class, tell the story of Robert Smalls' life.
| United States House of Representatives | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by District re-established John D. Ashmore before district eliminated after 1860 |
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from South Carolina's 5th congressional district 1875–79 |
Succeeded by George D. Tillman |
| Preceded by George D. Tillman |
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from South Carolina's 5th congressional district 1882–83 |
Succeeded by John J. Hemphill |
| Preceded by Edmund W. M. Mackey |
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from South Carolina's 7th congressional district 1884–87 |
Succeeded by William Elliott |