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Robert Smalls (April 5, 1839 – February 23, 1915) was an American politician who was born into slavery in Beaufort, South Carolina.
Apr 2, 2014 · Robert Smalls was an enslaved African American who escaped to freedom in a Confederate supply ship and eventually became a sea captain for the Union Navy.
3 days ago · Robert Smalls was an American war hero and politician who, during the Civil War, became the first Black captain of a vessel in U.S. service. He served multiple terms as a congressman from South Carolina during Reconstruction.
May 13, 2022 · The architect of this daring escape to freedom was Robert Smalls, whose leadership and courage would go on to make him important to the Union war effort and, afterwards, one of the most influential Black political leaders of the 19th century. Robert Smalls pictured between 1870 and 1880.
Robert Smalls made a daring sea escape during the Civil War as a slave and went on to serve five terms in Congress as a Representative from South Carolina.
Quick Facts. Significance: Civil War Hero, Black political leader during Reconstruction. Place of Birth: Beaufort, SC. Date of Birth: April 5, 1839. Place of Death: Beaufort, SC. Date of Death: February 23, 1915. Place of Burial: Tabernacle Baptist Church, Beaufort SC.
Robert Smalls did something unimaginable: In the midst of the Civil War, this black male slave commandeered a Confederate ship and delivered its 16 black men, women and children passengers from slavery to freedom. From slave to sailor to Congressman, read on for more about this extraordinary person.
