Sun and fun
to everyone!
We took a
trip to Beaufort, SC to visit the home of Captain Robert Smalls!
Robert Smalls
was born in April, 1839, in Beaufort, South Carolina. He was a fascinating man!
Born into slavery, he went on to purchase his freedom, and the freedom of his
family.
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| Captain Robert Smalls, an American Hero! |
His legacy
is one that lives on in Beaufort, SC. The house where he was enslaved became
his home after he later purchased it. It’s still a beautiful house today, and
we were privileged to be able to see it.
The once
enslaved Robert Smalls, became Captain Smalls after he commandeered a Confederate ship. He sailed the “Planter” into Union territory, he turned over
the charts, Confederate naval code book, and the ship itself.
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| A replica of the Planter ship Smalls commandeered. |
This was no
easy feat. You see he was hired as a deckhand, and because he was a black man,
he was not taught how to sail. He was left only to guard and load the ship.
When he
commandeered the Planter, he sailed past five ports. He had to give the correct
whistle signals to indicate a Confederate ship. He had studied and listened day
after day.
Smalls not
only sailed the ship with himself aboard, he also took his wife, children, and
twelve others, who were enslaved.
After this
major feat, Smalls went on to become Captain Robert Smalls. He was the first
black man to hold this rank in US Navy history!
Capt. Smalls
went into politics, and was elected to the SC House of Representatives and then
the Senate.
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| This is the actual desk of Captain Smalls! |
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| Touching history at it's finest... |
After years
in politics, Capt. Smalls settled back home to Beaufort, where he resided and
purchased the house where he was once enslaved. He died in Beaufort in February
1915.
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| A replica of Captain Smalls home in Beaufort, SC. |
Captain Robert Smalls, a BIG man in history!
Why is this
not taught in public schools?
Our plans,
His hands.
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