The life of Robert Smalls (1839 ndash 1915)

My race needs no special defense for the past history of them in this country proves them to be the equal of any people anywhere All they need is an equal chance in the battle of life

lsquoSwongarsquo

lsquoSwongarsquo

Meets amp marries Hannah Jones 1856 First child born 1858 Arrangement with Hannahrsquos master Both Robert and Hannah are working to save money

Robert and Hannah have a son Robert Jr Slaves escape on a barge in April The war is dragging on As wheelman Robert knows Charleston

Harbor the signal codes and the lay of the mines

Momma is free in Beaufort Robertrsquos freedom is just seven miles away

Admiral Du Pont wrote ldquo The pilot is quite intelligent and gave some valuable information about the abandonment of Stono rdquo

That boat that the seven niers captured down to Charleston runs up here some times It is in the government service it is the Planter and it is the handsomest steamer that runs on this river it is one hundred and twenty feet long I should judge and about twenty five feet beam it has three decks and two gang ways on each side of the lower deck it has a high pressure engine and side wheals and to take it all in all it is the prettiest craft that travels these waters and if the niers got what she was worth they can be comfortably without work the rest of there days for she had over fifty thousand dollars worth of freight on board when captured Private Rufus P Munyan Co D of the 18th Conn Infantry

Installed as pilot of the Planter Awarded prize-booty of $1500 Meets Lincoln May and August 1862 Becomes vital asset to Union Navy Goes on stump-speaking tour in North for

abolitionist and Freedmen causes

In August 1862 two Union generals sent Smalls and missionary Mansfield French to Washington DC to meet with Secretary of War Stanton and President Lincoln Their request to recruit 5000 black troops was soon granted Charismatic and articulate Smalls was sent on a speaking tour of New York to raise support for the Union cause There Smalls was presented an engraved gold medal by ldquothe colored citizens of New Yorkrdquo for his heroism his love of liberty and his patriotism

JJ Smith Plantation Beaufort SC USMHI

Engagement at Secessionville May 31 1862 Occupation of Edisto Island June 3 1862 Action on Simmonrsquos Bluff June 23 1862 Affair on Skull Creek SC September 24 1862 Affair at Kirkrsquos Bluff October 18 1862

Skirmish at Coosawatchie and Engagements at near Pocotaligo SC October 21 1862 Expedition up St Maryrsquos River January 23 - February 1 1863 The Campaign of the Carolinas December 31 1864 - March 24 1865 and April 10 - May 28 1865 Destruction of Locomotives and Rolling Stock Between Sumterville and Camden SC April 1 1865 Expedition to Camden SC April 5 - 25 1865

While in Philadelphia Smalls was ejected from a public streetcar by whites Local Philadelphians were outraged City streetcars were integrated by 1867 91 years later Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat on a city bus

My race needs no special defense for the past history of them in this country proves them to be the equal of any people anywhere All they need is an equal chance in the battle of life

First black Captain of a US vessel Dec 1863 Impressed Lincoln with his intelligence and

that of the ldquoblack racerdquo Prominent ldquocivil rightsrdquo leader 150 years ago Broke the ldquoblack barrierrdquo in Congress Championed legislation for Parris Island base

SC public schools equal rights for blacks Most influential SC politician for 50 years

April 1904

Robert Smalls served five terms as a US Congressman during Reconstruction For nearly 20 years he served as U S Collector of Customs in Beaufort SC where he lived as owner in the house in which he had been a slave

2007

Robert and Hannah have a son Robert Jr Slaves escape on a barge in April The war is dragging on As wheelman Robert knows Charleston

Harbor the signal codes and the lay of the mines

Momma is free in Beaufort Robertrsquos freedom is just seven miles away

Admiral Du Pont wrote ldquo The pilot is quite intelligent and gave some valuable information about the abandonment of Stono rdquo

That boat that the seven niers captured down to Charleston runs up here some times It is in the government service it is the Planter and it is the handsomest steamer that runs on this river it is one hundred and twenty feet long I should judge and about twenty five feet beam it has three decks and two gang ways on each side of the lower deck it has a high pressure engine and side wheals and to take it all in all it is the prettiest craft that travels these waters and if the niers got what she was worth they can be comfortably without work the rest of there days for she had over fifty thousand dollars worth of freight on board when captured Private Rufus P Munyan Co D of the 18th Conn Infantry

Installed as pilot of the Planter Awarded prize-booty of $1500 Meets Lincoln May and August 1862 Becomes vital asset to Union Navy Goes on stump-speaking tour in North for

abolitionist and Freedmen causes

In August 1862 two Union generals sent Smalls and missionary Mansfield French to Washington DC to meet with Secretary of War Stanton and President Lincoln Their request to recruit 5000 black troops was soon granted Charismatic and articulate Smalls was sent on a speaking tour of New York to raise support for the Union cause There Smalls was presented an engraved gold medal by ldquothe colored citizens of New Yorkrdquo for his heroism his love of liberty and his patriotism

JJ Smith Plantation Beaufort SC USMHI

Engagement at Secessionville May 31 1862 Occupation of Edisto Island June 3 1862 Action on Simmonrsquos Bluff June 23 1862 Affair on Skull Creek SC September 24 1862 Affair at Kirkrsquos Bluff October 18 1862

Skirmish at Coosawatchie and Engagements at near Pocotaligo SC October 21 1862 Expedition up St Maryrsquos River January 23 - February 1 1863 The Campaign of the Carolinas December 31 1864 - March 24 1865 and April 10 - May 28 1865 Destruction of Locomotives and Rolling Stock Between Sumterville and Camden SC April 1 1865 Expedition to Camden SC April 5 - 25 1865

While in Philadelphia Smalls was ejected from a public streetcar by whites Local Philadelphians were outraged City streetcars were integrated by 1867 91 years later Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat on a city bus

My race needs no special defense for the past history of them in this country proves them to be the equal of any people anywhere All they need is an equal chance in the battle of life

First black Captain of a US vessel Dec 1863 Impressed Lincoln with his intelligence and

that of the ldquoblack racerdquo Prominent ldquocivil rightsrdquo leader 150 years ago Broke the ldquoblack barrierrdquo in Congress Championed legislation for Parris Island base

SC public schools equal rights for blacks Most influential SC politician for 50 years

April 1904

Robert Smalls served five terms as a US Congressman during Reconstruction For nearly 20 years he served as U S Collector of Customs in Beaufort SC where he lived as owner in the house in which he had been a slave

2007

Admiral Du Pont wrote ldquo The pilot is quite intelligent and gave some valuable information about the abandonment of Stono rdquo

That boat that the seven niers captured down to Charleston runs up here some times It is in the government service it is the Planter and it is the handsomest steamer that runs on this river it is one hundred and twenty feet long I should judge and about twenty five feet beam it has three decks and two gang ways on each side of the lower deck it has a high pressure engine and side wheals and to take it all in all it is the prettiest craft that travels these waters and if the niers got what she was worth they can be comfortably without work the rest of there days for she had over fifty thousand dollars worth of freight on board when captured Private Rufus P Munyan Co D of the 18th Conn Infantry

Installed as pilot of the Planter Awarded prize-booty of $1500 Meets Lincoln May and August 1862 Becomes vital asset to Union Navy Goes on stump-speaking tour in North for

abolitionist and Freedmen causes

In August 1862 two Union generals sent Smalls and missionary Mansfield French to Washington DC to meet with Secretary of War Stanton and President Lincoln Their request to recruit 5000 black troops was soon granted Charismatic and articulate Smalls was sent on a speaking tour of New York to raise support for the Union cause There Smalls was presented an engraved gold medal by ldquothe colored citizens of New Yorkrdquo for his heroism his love of liberty and his patriotism

JJ Smith Plantation Beaufort SC USMHI

Engagement at Secessionville May 31 1862 Occupation of Edisto Island June 3 1862 Action on Simmonrsquos Bluff June 23 1862 Affair on Skull Creek SC September 24 1862 Affair at Kirkrsquos Bluff October 18 1862

Skirmish at Coosawatchie and Engagements at near Pocotaligo SC October 21 1862 Expedition up St Maryrsquos River January 23 - February 1 1863 The Campaign of the Carolinas December 31 1864 - March 24 1865 and April 10 - May 28 1865 Destruction of Locomotives and Rolling Stock Between Sumterville and Camden SC April 1 1865 Expedition to Camden SC April 5 - 25 1865

While in Philadelphia Smalls was ejected from a public streetcar by whites Local Philadelphians were outraged City streetcars were integrated by 1867 91 years later Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat on a city bus

My race needs no special defense for the past history of them in this country proves them to be the equal of any people anywhere All they need is an equal chance in the battle of life

First black Captain of a US vessel Dec 1863 Impressed Lincoln with his intelligence and

that of the ldquoblack racerdquo Prominent ldquocivil rightsrdquo leader 150 years ago Broke the ldquoblack barrierrdquo in Congress Championed legislation for Parris Island base

SC public schools equal rights for blacks Most influential SC politician for 50 years

April 1904

Robert Smalls served five terms as a US Congressman during Reconstruction For nearly 20 years he served as U S Collector of Customs in Beaufort SC where he lived as owner in the house in which he had been a slave

2007

That boat that the seven niers captured down to Charleston runs up here some times It is in the government service it is the Planter and it is the handsomest steamer that runs on this river it is one hundred and twenty feet long I should judge and about twenty five feet beam it has three decks and two gang ways on each side of the lower deck it has a high pressure engine and side wheals and to take it all in all it is the prettiest craft that travels these waters and if the niers got what she was worth they can be comfortably without work the rest of there days for she had over fifty thousand dollars worth of freight on board when captured Private Rufus P Munyan Co D of the 18th Conn Infantry

Installed as pilot of the Planter Awarded prize-booty of $1500 Meets Lincoln May and August 1862 Becomes vital asset to Union Navy Goes on stump-speaking tour in North for

abolitionist and Freedmen causes

In August 1862 two Union generals sent Smalls and missionary Mansfield French to Washington DC to meet with Secretary of War Stanton and President Lincoln Their request to recruit 5000 black troops was soon granted Charismatic and articulate Smalls was sent on a speaking tour of New York to raise support for the Union cause There Smalls was presented an engraved gold medal by ldquothe colored citizens of New Yorkrdquo for his heroism his love of liberty and his patriotism

JJ Smith Plantation Beaufort SC USMHI

Engagement at Secessionville May 31 1862 Occupation of Edisto Island June 3 1862 Action on Simmonrsquos Bluff June 23 1862 Affair on Skull Creek SC September 24 1862 Affair at Kirkrsquos Bluff October 18 1862

Skirmish at Coosawatchie and Engagements at near Pocotaligo SC October 21 1862 Expedition up St Maryrsquos River January 23 - February 1 1863 The Campaign of the Carolinas December 31 1864 - March 24 1865 and April 10 - May 28 1865 Destruction of Locomotives and Rolling Stock Between Sumterville and Camden SC April 1 1865 Expedition to Camden SC April 5 - 25 1865

While in Philadelphia Smalls was ejected from a public streetcar by whites Local Philadelphians were outraged City streetcars were integrated by 1867 91 years later Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat on a city bus

My race needs no special defense for the past history of them in this country proves them to be the equal of any people anywhere All they need is an equal chance in the battle of life

First black Captain of a US vessel Dec 1863 Impressed Lincoln with his intelligence and

that of the ldquoblack racerdquo Prominent ldquocivil rightsrdquo leader 150 years ago Broke the ldquoblack barrierrdquo in Congress Championed legislation for Parris Island base

SC public schools equal rights for blacks Most influential SC politician for 50 years

April 1904

Robert Smalls served five terms as a US Congressman during Reconstruction For nearly 20 years he served as U S Collector of Customs in Beaufort SC where he lived as owner in the house in which he had been a slave

2007

Installed as pilot of the Planter Awarded prize-booty of $1500 Meets Lincoln May and August 1862 Becomes vital asset to Union Navy Goes on stump-speaking tour in North for

abolitionist and Freedmen causes

In August 1862 two Union generals sent Smalls and missionary Mansfield French to Washington DC to meet with Secretary of War Stanton and President Lincoln Their request to recruit 5000 black troops was soon granted Charismatic and articulate Smalls was sent on a speaking tour of New York to raise support for the Union cause There Smalls was presented an engraved gold medal by ldquothe colored citizens of New Yorkrdquo for his heroism his love of liberty and his patriotism

JJ Smith Plantation Beaufort SC USMHI

Engagement at Secessionville May 31 1862 Occupation of Edisto Island June 3 1862 Action on Simmonrsquos Bluff June 23 1862 Affair on Skull Creek SC September 24 1862 Affair at Kirkrsquos Bluff October 18 1862

Skirmish at Coosawatchie and Engagements at near Pocotaligo SC October 21 1862 Expedition up St Maryrsquos River January 23 - February 1 1863 The Campaign of the Carolinas December 31 1864 - March 24 1865 and April 10 - May 28 1865 Destruction of Locomotives and Rolling Stock Between Sumterville and Camden SC April 1 1865 Expedition to Camden SC April 5 - 25 1865

While in Philadelphia Smalls was ejected from a public streetcar by whites Local Philadelphians were outraged City streetcars were integrated by 1867 91 years later Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat on a city bus

My race needs no special defense for the past history of them in this country proves them to be the equal of any people anywhere All they need is an equal chance in the battle of life

First black Captain of a US vessel Dec 1863 Impressed Lincoln with his intelligence and

that of the ldquoblack racerdquo Prominent ldquocivil rightsrdquo leader 150 years ago Broke the ldquoblack barrierrdquo in Congress Championed legislation for Parris Island base

SC public schools equal rights for blacks Most influential SC politician for 50 years

April 1904

Robert Smalls served five terms as a US Congressman during Reconstruction For nearly 20 years he served as U S Collector of Customs in Beaufort SC where he lived as owner in the house in which he had been a slave

2007

In August 1862 two Union generals sent Smalls and missionary Mansfield French to Washington DC to meet with Secretary of War Stanton and President Lincoln Their request to recruit 5000 black troops was soon granted Charismatic and articulate Smalls was sent on a speaking tour of New York to raise support for the Union cause There Smalls was presented an engraved gold medal by ldquothe colored citizens of New Yorkrdquo for his heroism his love of liberty and his patriotism

JJ Smith Plantation Beaufort SC USMHI

Engagement at Secessionville May 31 1862 Occupation of Edisto Island June 3 1862 Action on Simmonrsquos Bluff June 23 1862 Affair on Skull Creek SC September 24 1862 Affair at Kirkrsquos Bluff October 18 1862

Skirmish at Coosawatchie and Engagements at near Pocotaligo SC October 21 1862 Expedition up St Maryrsquos River January 23 - February 1 1863 The Campaign of the Carolinas December 31 1864 - March 24 1865 and April 10 - May 28 1865 Destruction of Locomotives and Rolling Stock Between Sumterville and Camden SC April 1 1865 Expedition to Camden SC April 5 - 25 1865

While in Philadelphia Smalls was ejected from a public streetcar by whites Local Philadelphians were outraged City streetcars were integrated by 1867 91 years later Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat on a city bus

My race needs no special defense for the past history of them in this country proves them to be the equal of any people anywhere All they need is an equal chance in the battle of life

First black Captain of a US vessel Dec 1863 Impressed Lincoln with his intelligence and

that of the ldquoblack racerdquo Prominent ldquocivil rightsrdquo leader 150 years ago Broke the ldquoblack barrierrdquo in Congress Championed legislation for Parris Island base

SC public schools equal rights for blacks Most influential SC politician for 50 years

April 1904

Robert Smalls served five terms as a US Congressman during Reconstruction For nearly 20 years he served as U S Collector of Customs in Beaufort SC where he lived as owner in the house in which he had been a slave

2007

JJ Smith Plantation Beaufort SC USMHI

Engagement at Secessionville May 31 1862 Occupation of Edisto Island June 3 1862 Action on Simmonrsquos Bluff June 23 1862 Affair on Skull Creek SC September 24 1862 Affair at Kirkrsquos Bluff October 18 1862

Skirmish at Coosawatchie and Engagements at near Pocotaligo SC October 21 1862 Expedition up St Maryrsquos River January 23 - February 1 1863 The Campaign of the Carolinas December 31 1864 - March 24 1865 and April 10 - May 28 1865 Destruction of Locomotives and Rolling Stock Between Sumterville and Camden SC April 1 1865 Expedition to Camden SC April 5 - 25 1865

While in Philadelphia Smalls was ejected from a public streetcar by whites Local Philadelphians were outraged City streetcars were integrated by 1867 91 years later Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat on a city bus

My race needs no special defense for the past history of them in this country proves them to be the equal of any people anywhere All they need is an equal chance in the battle of life

First black Captain of a US vessel Dec 1863 Impressed Lincoln with his intelligence and

that of the ldquoblack racerdquo Prominent ldquocivil rightsrdquo leader 150 years ago Broke the ldquoblack barrierrdquo in Congress Championed legislation for Parris Island base

SC public schools equal rights for blacks Most influential SC politician for 50 years

April 1904

Robert Smalls served five terms as a US Congressman during Reconstruction For nearly 20 years he served as U S Collector of Customs in Beaufort SC where he lived as owner in the house in which he had been a slave

2007

Engagement at Secessionville May 31 1862 Occupation of Edisto Island June 3 1862 Action on Simmonrsquos Bluff June 23 1862 Affair on Skull Creek SC September 24 1862 Affair at Kirkrsquos Bluff October 18 1862

Skirmish at Coosawatchie and Engagements at near Pocotaligo SC October 21 1862 Expedition up St Maryrsquos River January 23 - February 1 1863 The Campaign of the Carolinas December 31 1864 - March 24 1865 and April 10 - May 28 1865 Destruction of Locomotives and Rolling Stock Between Sumterville and Camden SC April 1 1865 Expedition to Camden SC April 5 - 25 1865

While in Philadelphia Smalls was ejected from a public streetcar by whites Local Philadelphians were outraged City streetcars were integrated by 1867 91 years later Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat on a city bus

My race needs no special defense for the past history of them in this country proves them to be the equal of any people anywhere All they need is an equal chance in the battle of life

First black Captain of a US vessel Dec 1863 Impressed Lincoln with his intelligence and

that of the ldquoblack racerdquo Prominent ldquocivil rightsrdquo leader 150 years ago Broke the ldquoblack barrierrdquo in Congress Championed legislation for Parris Island base

SC public schools equal rights for blacks Most influential SC politician for 50 years

April 1904

Robert Smalls served five terms as a US Congressman during Reconstruction For nearly 20 years he served as U S Collector of Customs in Beaufort SC where he lived as owner in the house in which he had been a slave

2007

While in Philadelphia Smalls was ejected from a public streetcar by whites Local Philadelphians were outraged City streetcars were integrated by 1867 91 years later Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat on a city bus

My race needs no special defense for the past history of them in this country proves them to be the equal of any people anywhere All they need is an equal chance in the battle of life

First black Captain of a US vessel Dec 1863 Impressed Lincoln with his intelligence and

that of the ldquoblack racerdquo Prominent ldquocivil rightsrdquo leader 150 years ago Broke the ldquoblack barrierrdquo in Congress Championed legislation for Parris Island base

SC public schools equal rights for blacks Most influential SC politician for 50 years

April 1904

Robert Smalls served five terms as a US Congressman during Reconstruction For nearly 20 years he served as U S Collector of Customs in Beaufort SC where he lived as owner in the house in which he had been a slave

2007

My race needs no special defense for the past history of them in this country proves them to be the equal of any people anywhere All they need is an equal chance in the battle of life

First black Captain of a US vessel Dec 1863 Impressed Lincoln with his intelligence and

that of the ldquoblack racerdquo Prominent ldquocivil rightsrdquo leader 150 years ago Broke the ldquoblack barrierrdquo in Congress Championed legislation for Parris Island base

SC public schools equal rights for blacks Most influential SC politician for 50 years

April 1904

Robert Smalls served five terms as a US Congressman during Reconstruction For nearly 20 years he served as U S Collector of Customs in Beaufort SC where he lived as owner in the house in which he had been a slave

2007

First black Captain of a US vessel Dec 1863 Impressed Lincoln with his intelligence and

that of the ldquoblack racerdquo Prominent ldquocivil rightsrdquo leader 150 years ago Broke the ldquoblack barrierrdquo in Congress Championed legislation for Parris Island base

SC public schools equal rights for blacks Most influential SC politician for 50 years

April 1904

Robert Smalls served five terms as a US Congressman during Reconstruction For nearly 20 years he served as U S Collector of Customs in Beaufort SC where he lived as owner in the house in which he had been a slave

2007

April 1904

Robert Smalls served five terms as a US Congressman during Reconstruction For nearly 20 years he served as U S Collector of Customs in Beaufort SC where he lived as owner in the house in which he had been a slave

2007

2007

My race needs no special defense for the past history of them in this country proves them to be the equal of any people anywhere All they need is an equal chance in the battle of life