It has just gotten dark on the evening of May 12, 1862. General Roswell Ripley and the other white confederate officers of the

Steamer Planter have just gone ashore to attend a party in Charleston, leaving the black crew alone. This was not unusual

except that the crew had planned on these events. Quickly, the black crews families left their hiding places on other vessels and

came aboard the Planter.

Robert Smalls was the quartermaster, or wheelman of the ship. In this capacity he had become knowledgable of all navigation

channels in Charleston harbor as well as all the gun and troop positions of the confederate armies guarding the harbor. Smalls

and the other slaves quietly got the ship underway and headed for the mouth of the harbor and the blockading Union fleet.

Soon they would have to pass under the guns of Fort Sumter. To increase their chances of success, Smalls donned the clothing

of Planters confederate captain. The trick apparently worked because they are not fired upon until after they are out of range.

Planter eventually approached the U.S.S. Onward, of the blockading fleet to surrender. She brought with her a 24-pound

howitzer, a 32-pound pivot gun, a 7-inch rifle and 4 smooth-bore cannons. Planter had served as headquarters ship for General

Ripley and was a valuable ship because she could carry as many as one thousand troops and her shallow draft gave her

freedom throughout much of the coastal waters. Robert Smalls had been born on the Sea Islands and knew the waters from

Beaufort, South Carolina to Florida. Together they were important prizes for the Union.

For the Benefit of Robert Smalls and Others.....

Generally, any enemy ships taken in this manner are treated as prizes for the men who performed the courageous act.

Commander Du Pont submitted the claims for these men to Washington despite his misgivings that they would be honored.

Since these men had been slaves and the Dred Scott Decision said they were merely contraband, it took a special act of

congress to award the ship as a prize,

BlackFacts Details

Washington DC Facts