The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1896-04-19

How n Negro Pilot Delivered a Confedernt to
Boat to the Federal Government.

Prom the Washington Post
How Robert Smniis. the well-known negro poll
tcian OIL charleston >. u, took possession OF
the Confederate steamship Planter in Charles
ton haroor during the war and delivered her to
the Federal authorities forms the subject of one
OF the most Interesting war claims now before
congress-. AT that time smalls received a part
OF the prize money. but the fuil amount to
"hich ne was entitled was never paid him, and
there Is now before the House a blu. favorabiy
reported which appropriates s2o,oOo, TO be paid
over to him Tor tho performance OF one of the
most daring ieats OF the rebellion. The case is
not entirely new In Congressional history, for
Mr.. Smalls has not been idle all these years,
and the nensure has been nravjors,v o,nsid
sr.d hv ,ha commit,oo ond ,eroranar rosna
ereo oy the committee ana favorahiy recom-
mended. But comparatively few persons know
the history Of IN. case which ia given in dst.,
In one or tho reports recently made to the House
from the Committee on War Claims.
Un ma. 40, Ieos, inc oohieaerate steamship
iiahler, 'ne speciai uespatoh OoAt OF zen. Nip
. ,sy' t :. c o0r wss ,nssI post nr e Rnhnr, sma at Charles nrSs.
~. ,u.- 80 -, "n"u' unuer
which she was lying, carried safely out OF
Charleston harbor, and delivered 70 one of tn a
vessels OF the Federal fleet blockadine that port:
On the day previous. May IL, the Planter,
which had for two weeks been enra red in re-
moving guns from Coles Island to James Island,
returned to Charleston. That night all tho
~ "en.1 "horeu Il Sept III tho Guy ieav-
Ing on board a crew OF eight men. all colored.
virtually th. milo, Of tho boat sItbornS
~ pios .. tne uoa'. Ai1nouRh
he was only called a wheelman, because
Inv. hsen wa. nuo, ~ 80 .nN
nA,' ooen "auo u pnoI fof SONS t'me'
nifty to carry into execution a plan he had con-
SS''Se W. tH0 eA' v" shV q ~
This, he saw. was about as good a chance as he
would ever have to do so. and therefore he de-
termined not to lose it Consulting with the
balance of the Grew smalls found that they were
willing TO cooperate With him, although TWO of
The design was hssardo"s in the extreme.
The boat would have TO pass beneath the guns
I'll tioS the S t%fts IN b, ,as beam bSsoo ssrta LaiiSss and se,sSi
was the venture, but " was made, The daring
resolution had been formed and under COM
steam wa. put on, and with her valuable cargo
OF guns and ammunition, intended FOR Fort
tie harbor. about 9 O'clock in the morning the
Planter silently moved on from herdock steamed
Wife WI 20 and ddttWr.on ch niTeSi' to wsa . w WITH four S% oth.s
women and ono other child, ana also three men.
were waiting 70 embark. Al these were taken
rying nine men, hys women, ana three children.
bbisSs' ne s."sl s same and 's she f pSoosGdsd T aCwS
the bay o,t A1p Eoa Err s Nn SmHiis stood
Win HshI III g'i arms :G foiied tis scres. his Ills 6 Sr sSs s TtSfG 9Es
manner Of Capt. Relay, the commander OF the
boat, and his hsaS covered wit the huge straw
The signal required to be given by all steamers
passing out was blown as coolly as II Gen. Rip
lion. sumter aus worsd by signal. All right"
and the Planter headed toward Morris Island,
then occupied 6y Hatch's light artillery, and