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1839 - 1915
Businessman, Politician, War Hero, Sailor
Because he brought fear to the Confederacy
Because he brought fear to the Confederacy
Born in 1839, Robert was brought into slavery and witnessed its cruelty at a young age. This molded his views and gave him motivation and drive. While enslaved he piloted a ship, which ultimately was the foundation for his escape and skills. Smalls was a brave man who fought for civil rights through both physical and political means.
While enslaved, Smalls worked on a confederate ship as a sailor, and guided a ship called The Planter. In May 1862, while the white crew had disembarked the ship, Smalls saw an opportunity and took it. “He helped free 16 slaves. Smalls’s experience navigating the coastal waters and knowledge of the signals used for safe passage allowed the ship to sail past Confederate fortifications to reach the Union position off the coast” (Perry). “In doing so, he turned over important Confederate documents, cargo, guns and ammunition to the Union Navy, and was seen as a war hero throughout the north” (The Editors of Encyclopedia Britannica). This was crucial to war proceedings, as this way the Union gained important information and resources, which would then assist the Union in ultimately winning the Civil War. It takes much courage to perform such a dangerous and skillful act, but the benefits that resulted from it were very immense. This shows Robert’s dedication to civil rights, and his actions have proved to have been effective. Flag Officer Samuel Francis Du Pont was impressed with Smalls saying, “‘Robert, the intelligent slave and pilot of the boat, who performed this bold feet so skillfully, informed me of [the capture of the Sumter gun], presuming it would be a matter of interest,’” (Louis Gates Jr.) This is only one of multiple people who wrote about him. This shows that other people of sailing experience acknowledged Smalls. He must have accomplished an incredible feat to get recognition from people from other related occupations.
After his act of heroism, he met President Lincoln and convinced him to pass a law to allow people of color to become officers in the navy and fight in the war. Soon after, Secretary of War Edwin Stanton ordered 5,000 former slaves to fight for the Union (U.S National Park Service). Smalls himself decided to join the Union Navy, and became a maritime pilot. “In 1863, when he was piloting the ironclad USS Keokuk during the Union’s bombardment of Fort Sumter, the vessel took many hits and was eventually sunk. Smalls’s bravery was rewarded with command of the USS Planter later that year, making him the first African American captain in the U.S. Navy. He fought in numerous battles during the remainder of the Civil War” (The Editors of Encyclopedia Britannica). In a time where black people were treated lowly, Robert Smalls defied that agenda. He was born to be a leader and it is made evident through his voice and actions. Smalls does not settle for discontent and preserves what he believes. This is why he was so influential and important to the Union winning. His strive for civil rights was in result effective.
Not only did Smalls live a life of war, but he also participated in politics which was deemed impossible during his time period. He was elected into the House of Representatives and served from 1875 to 1879, 1882 to 1883, and from 1884 to 1887 (The Editors of Encyclopedia Britannica). This expresses how significant Smalls was in a position of power to people of his own kind. Smalls spent a total of eight years in a political position, proving he was effective and experienced. He was elected and won over a white man during a time of peak racism, showing how incredible of a feat he conquered. This also reveals that Smalls was an excellent politician in order to acquire this support from the people. He was also known for his efforts to integrate United States Army regiments and his support for a bill that would have required equal accommodations for black and white people on interstate transportation. Not only did he fight for his rights physically, but also in a more civil manner through political influence. Robert’s great-granddaughter said he came to resistance from seeing the whipping post while he was a slave (Louis Gates Jr.).His childhood would’ve shaped his views on society. His persistence is shown by maintaining this mindset for such an extended period. Him actually becoming a person of political power demonstrates his ability to overcome and reach his goals of civil rights.
An influential politician, war hero and brave soldier, Robert Smalls stood for all things freedom, equality and abolishing segregation. From taking over a confederate ship, freeing slaves, standing up for people with no voice, opening the first free public school, and even buying his ex-masters’ mansion, he is widely credited with the start of the civil rights movement, and he will.
Husayn Dinani, Brody Junker, Patrick McCabe, Jimmy Kreshon
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