I love when I learn something new, especially about our history. This morning when in the library, I was perusing our copy of Uncle John’s Bathroom Reader and happened upon the story of Robert Smalls.

Robert Smalls (1839-1915), the son of plantation slaves, was taken by his master in 1851 to Charleston, S.C., where he worked as a hotel waiter, hack driver, and rigger. Impressed into the Confederate Navy at the outbreak of the war, he was forced to serve as wheelman aboard the armed frigate Planter. On May 13, 1862, he and 12 other slaves seized control of the ship in Charleston harbour and turned it over to a Union naval squadron blockading the city. This exploit brought Smalls great fame throughout the North. [some sources use the name Small]

Smalls went to work as a civilian pilot for the Union Navy on the Keokuk, which was sunk during an attack on Charleston. Rescued, he went on as pilot on the Planter, which was a civilian run ship under contract to the Army. During a Confederate ambush of the Planter, her white captain wanted to surrender, but Smalls locked him in the coal bunker and escaped in spite of heavy fire. He was named the ship’s captain for his bravery.

After the war, Smalls rose rapidly in politics, despite his limited education. From 1868 to 1870 he served in the South Carolina House of Representatives and from 1871 to 1874 in the state senate. He was elected to the U.S. Congress (1875-79, 1881-87), where he sponsored a bill requiring equal accommodations for both races in interstate transportation. Smalls spent his last years in Beaufort, S.C. where he served as port collector.

This story is slightly different from that cited in the Bathroom Reader. In that version, Smalls was given the opportunity to serve on ships starting as a boy. He worked his way up to ship pilot as he grew up - he was an expert on the waters of Charleston Harbor because of his years working on boats and piloting those waters. He knew every shoal, current, eddy, etc.

He was determined to buy his freedom and managed to save about $700 of the $800 required when the Civil War started. At that point, freedom was put on hold - until he managed to secure it for himself by stealing the CSS Planter and returning it to the Union. Included with the 12 other slaves who took the ship were his wife and children.

Here’s a copy of the Harper’s Weekly account from 1862.

After the war, he bought the home in which he grew up and it is now a National Historical Landmark. One more reason I’d love to visit Beaufort and Charleston. Cool story.

All viewpoints are welcome. Please keep your comments profanity free. Do not flame others. HTML links will not work. Please just post any links as is in your comment.

You must answer the captcha question in order for your comment to post. If you don't know the answer, let me know. I may or may not give it to you.

I reserve the right to delete and/or edit objectionable comments. Be nice and have fun!




1. Charleston is one of my favorite cities.  A must-see IMO.

   Posted by  on  04/02/08  at  10:12 AM

2. Very cool story!!

   Posted by  on  04/02/08  at  12:18 PM

3. That would make a great movie. Spielberg, are you listening ?

   Posted by  on  04/03/08  at  05:36 AM

4. Uncle Bill, that was my thought the whole time I was reading the story. Very compelling.

   Posted by jen  on  04/03/08  at  08:24 AM

<< Back to main