A Plan in the Darkness
On May 13, 1862, before dawn, Robert Smalls stood on the deck of the Planter, a Confederate steamer in Charleston Harbor. A 23-year-old enslaved man, he had devised a plan to take control of the ship, navigate past Confederate defenses, and deliver it to the Union fleet. With his wife, children, and other enslaved crew members, they faced either freedom or death.
Seizing the Planter
With the white officers ashore, Smalls and his crew quietly took control. Smalls, wearing the captain’s straw hat, imitated his stance and mannerisms. They first stopped to pick up their families, adding to the risk, then headed toward the heavily guarded harbor entrance, passing Confederate forts that could destroy them in seconds.
A Confederate Disguise
Smalls expertly signaled Confederate forts with the correct whistle code, tricking the sentries into letting them pass. As they neared Fort Sumter, tensions ran high. The crew hid their fear while Smalls remained calm, offering the required salute. The guards, unaware of the escape, waved them through.
Sailing to Freedom
Once past the last Confederate position, the crew lowered the rebel flag and raised a white bedsheet as a surrender signal to the Union fleet. But with heavy fog, the approaching Union ship, Onward, prepared to fire, mistaking them for a threat. Smalls quickly identified the vessel, and the Planter was safely brought alongside.
A Hero’s Welcome
As they boarded the Onward, the once-enslaved men, women, and children erupted in celebration. Smalls stood before the captain and declared, “Good morning, sir! I’ve brought you some of the old United States guns, sir!—that were for Fort Sumter, sir!” His bravery and intelligence secured his freedom and a place in history.
Before dawn on May 13, 1862, Robert Smalls stood aboard the Confederate steamer Planter, ready to risk everything. With his wife, children, and crew, he planned to seize the ship, sail past Charleston’s defenses, and reach the Union fleet. Failure meant death…🧵👇 pic.twitter.com/ic0VVCx6ps
— Detective Tiger's Stories (@TigerDetective) February 21, 2025