The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1896-06-18

men, all colored. Among them was
Robert Smalls, who was virtually
the pilot of the boat, although he
was only called a wheelman, because at
that time no colored man could have, in
fact. been made pilot. For some time
previous he had been watching for an OPP
portunity to carry into execution a plan
he had conceived to take the Planter to
the Federal fleet. This. he saw, was about
as good chance as he would ever have to
do so, and therefore he determined not to
lose it. Consulting with the rest of the
crew, Smalls found that they were willing
to cooperate with him. although two O.
them afterward concluded to remain be
hind. The design was hazardous in the
extreme.
The boat would have to pass beneath
the guns of the forts in the harbor. Fail
ure and detection would have been GER
tain death. Fearful was the venture, but
it was made. The daring resolution had
been formed and under command OF Rob-
ert Smalls wood was taken aboard, steam
was put on, and with her valuable cargo OF
guns and ammunition, intended for Fort
Ripley, q new fortlfcation just con-
slructed in the harbor, about O'Clock In
the morning the Planter silently moved
off from her dock, steamed up TO North
Atlantic wharf, where SmalPs wife and
two children, together with four other
women and one other child. and also three
men, were waiting to embark.
All these were taken on board, anG then,
at 1925 A. NJ, May 13, the Planter started on
her perilous adventure, carrying nine
men, five women and three children.
Passing Fort Johnson, the Planters steam
whistle blew the usual salute and she pro-
ceeded down the bay. Approaching Fort
Sumter, Smalls stood in the pilot house
leaning out of the window, with his arms
folded across his breast, after the manner
OF Captain Relay, the commander OF the
boat. and his head covered with the huge
straw hat which Captain Relay commonly
wore on such occasions.
The signal required to be given by all
steamers passing out was blown as coolly
as if General Ripley was on board going
out OF tour OF inspection. Sumter an
swered by signal, "All right and the
Planter headed toward Morris Island,
then occupied by Hateh's light artillery,
and passed beyond the range of Sumter's
guns before anybody suspected anything
was wrong. When at last the Planter was
obviously gong toward the Federal feet
off the bar Sumter signaIed toward Morris
Island to stop her. But it was too late. As
the Planter approached the Federal fleet
white flag was displayed, but this was not
at first discovered, and the Federal
steamers, supposing the Confederate rams
deep water.
But the ship Onward, Captain Nichols,
which was not a steamer, remained,
opened her ports, and was about to fire
into the Planter, when she noticed the flag
of truce. As soon as the vessels came
within hailing distance OF each other the
Planters errand was explained. Captain
Nichols then boarded her and Smalls de-
livered the Planter to him. From the
Planter Smails was transferred to the
Augusta, the flagship off the bar, under
the command of Captain Parrott. by whom
the Planter with Smalls and her crew
were sent to Port Royal to Rear-Admiral
Dupont, then in command of the southern
squadron. mself
Smalls continued to distinguish hi and
in number of naval engagements, lille
on one occasion, in December, 1868,
the Planter, then under Captain Nicker-
son, was sailing through Folly Island
Greek the Confederate batteries at Seces-
sionville opened very hot fire upon her.
Captain Nickerson became demoralized,
and left the pilot-house and secured him
self in the coal bunker. Smalls was on
the deck, and finding out that the captain
had deserted his post entered the pilot
house, took command of the boat and car
ried her safely out of the reach of the
guns. For this conduct he was promoted
by order CT General Gilmore, command
ing the Department of the South, to the
rank of captain, and was ordered to act as
captain of the Planter, which was used as
a supply boat along the coast until the end
of the war. In September, 1866, he carried
his boat to Baltimore, where she was put
out Of commission and Washington
Post