American politician and former slave (1839-1915) From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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) | Hannah Jones
(m. 2024; died 1883)Annie Wigg
(m. 1890; died 1895) |
| 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
|
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]
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