During Black History Month, we celebrate important people who have made a big difference in history. While many of us know about famous figures like Martin Luther King Jr., Harriet Tubman, and Rosa Parks, there are other heroes whose stories are just as inspiring. One of these heroes is Robert Smalls, a brave man who played a key role in the fight for freedom during the Civil War.
Robert Smalls was born on April 5, 1839, in Beaufort, South Carolina. Back then, people who were enslaved were treated like property. Robert and his mother were owned by a man named Henry McKee. McKee made money by hiring Robert out for different jobs, but Robert never got to keep the money he earned. This unfairness made Robert dream of freedom.
Robert worked at a port in Charleston, South Carolina, where he became really good at steering boats through the harbor. Even though he was skilled, he wasn’t allowed to be called a “captain” because he was enslaved. When he was 17, Robert married Hannah Jones, who had two daughters. They later had another child together. Seeing how harsh slavery was and fearing his family might be separated, Robert started planning a way to escape.
When the Civil War began in April 1861, Robert was hired by the Confederate Army to work on a ship called the Planter. His job was to steer the ship, lay mines, and deliver messages. As the war went on, Robert heard about the Union Army’s efforts to free enslaved people. He realized that if he could reach the Union forces, he and his family could be free.
On May 13, 1862, Robert saw his chance to escape. The Planter was loaded with cannons and ammunition, and the white officers had left the ship for the night. Robert and his fellow enslaved crew members were in charge. Earlier, Robert’s family and other crew members had boarded a nearby ship, ready for their escape.
At around 3 a.m., Robert and the crew put their plan into action. Robert dressed in the captain’s uniform and wore a straw hat to look like the captain. He steered the ship past the first checkpoint while the crew hid. If they were caught, the consequences would have been terrible.
After passing the checkpoint, Robert picked up his family and headed toward the Union blockade. As they neared Fort Sumter, Robert replaced the Confederate flag with a white flag of surrender, hoping the Union forces would understand they wanted to be free. Luckily, a Union ship called the Onward saw the white flag and approached without firing, allowing Robert, his family, and the other enslaved people on board to gain their freedom.
After escaping, Robert and his family received prize money for the weapons they had captured. He went to Washington, D.C., and met President Abraham Lincoln. Robert asked for Black men to be allowed to join the Union Army, which led to the recruitment of 5,000 former enslaved individuals.
Robert joined the Union Army and became the first African American captain of a U.S. military ship. In 1897, Congress gave him a pension equal to that of a Navy captain. When he returned to South Carolina, he bought his former master’s house and got involved in politics.
In 1874, Robert was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives, where he served five terms. He worked hard to protect the rights of African American citizens in South Carolina.
Robert Smalls passed away in 1915 due to malaria and diabetes, but his story of courage and determination continues to inspire people today. His life shows the strength of the human spirit and the ongoing fight for freedom and equality.
As we celebrate Black History Month, let’s remember the incredible contributions of people like Robert Smalls, whose actions have helped shape our history.
Map the Journey: Create a simple map of Robert Smalls’ daring escape route. Use a large sheet of paper and draw the coastline of South Carolina. Mark Charleston, Fort Sumter, and the path Robert took with the Planter. Use toy boats or paper cutouts to recreate the journey. Discuss with your classmates or family how Robert might have felt during each part of his escape.
Role Play and Storytelling: In small groups, act out the story of Robert Smalls’ escape. Assign roles such as Robert, his family, the crew, and the Union soldiers. Use simple props like hats or flags to make it more fun. After the role play, discuss what you learned about bravery and teamwork. How did Robert’s actions change his life and the lives of others?
Freedom Flag Craft: Create your own version of the white flag of surrender that Robert used to signal the Union forces. Use white fabric or paper and decorate it with symbols of freedom and hope. Think about what freedom means to you and write a short paragraph about it. Share your flag and thoughts with your class or family.
