When we think of Black history, names like Martin Luther King Jr., Harriet Tubman, and Rosa Parks often come to mind. However, history is filled with lesser-known figures whose contributions have shaped the world in remarkable ways. One such hero is Robert Smalls, a formerly enslaved man who risked his life to free himself and others—only to later serve in the U.S. Congress.
Born into slavery in 1839 in Beaufort, South Carolina, Robert Smalls was hired out as a laborer and eventually became a skilled pilot in Charleston Harbor. During the Civil War, Smalls saw an opportunity to escape the bonds of slavery and seized it.
On May 13, 1862, Smalls and his crew executed a daring plan. While their Confederate officers were ashore, Smalls and other enslaved men commandeered the CSS Planter, a Confederate transport ship. Disguising himself as the captain, he navigated past multiple Confederate checkpoints and, at the break of dawn, steered the ship into Union-controlled waters. He surrendered the vessel to the Union Navy and, in doing so, secured the freedom of himself, his crew, and their families.
Smalls’ bravery did not go unnoticed. He was rewarded with a position in the Union Navy and became instrumental in recruiting Black soldiers for the war effort. His knowledge of Southern waterways proved invaluable to the Union cause.
After the war, Smalls returned to South Carolina, where he became a champion for civil rights, education, and equality. He purchased the house where he had once been enslaved and used his growing influence to help African Americans secure rights that were long denied to them.
Robert Smalls entered politics and, in 1875, was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives. He served five terms, advocating for voting rights, public education, and fair treatment of formerly enslaved people.
One of his most famous quotes captures his lifelong fight for justice:
"My race needs no special defense, for the past history of them in this country proves them to be equal of any people anywhere. All they need is an equal chance in the battle of life."
Robert Smalls’ story is one of courage, intelligence, and unwavering determination. His legacy reminds us that history is full of hidden figures whose contributions have helped shape America. This Black History Month, let’s celebrate not just the well-known icons but also the unsung heroes like Robert Smalls—whose bravery still echoes through time.