The Indianapolis journal., 1898-01-26
RoBERr sMALLs,s BRAVERY.
Act of HerOism During the War Re-
caIIed by a Pension CInim.


Washington Special to ST. Louis Globe
Democrat.
The question is often asked, What aid did
the colored people contribute to help them
selves toward freedom? A Senate report
last week on a war claim shows at least
one conspicuous act of bravery on the part
of a negro in aid Of the Union cause. The
bill was for the relief of Robert Smalls,
the ex-member of Congress from South
Carolina. The claim is rested upon the very
valuable services rendered by Robert Smalls
to the country during the late war.
On May IL, 1862, the Confederate steam
ship Planter, the special dispatch boat of
General Ripley. the Confederate post COM
mander at Charleston, S. c., was taken by
Robert Smalls under the following circum-
stances from the wharf at which she was
lying, carried safely out of Charleston har-
Dor and delivered to one of the vessels of
the federal fleet then blockading that port:
On the day previous the Planter, which
had for two weeks been engaged in remov-
ing guns from Coles island to James island.
returned to Charleston. That night all the
officers went ashore and slept in the city,
leaving on board crew of eight men, all
colored Among them was Robert Smalls.
who was virtually the pilot of the boat al
though he was only called wheelman, be-
cause at that time no colored man could
have, In fact, been made pilot. Under
command of Smalls wood was taken aboard,
steam was put on, ana, with her valuable
cargo of guns and ammunition, intended for
Fort Ripley, new fertilization just con-
structed in the harbor, about o'clock in
the morning, the Planter silently moved off
from her dock, steamed up to North Allan
tic wharf where Smals's wife and two chill
dren. together with four women and one
child and also three men, were waiting to
embark. All thess were taken on board
and then, at 3;25 a. m. May 13. the Planter
started on her perilous adventure carrying
eleven 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
breast. after
of Capt Relay the commander of the boat,
and his head covered with the huge straw
such occasions The signal required to he
given by all steamers passing out was
blown. Sumter answered by signal "All
right" and the Planter headed toward Nor
ris island then occupied by 'Eatch's Light
Artillery and passed beyond the range of
Sumter's guns before anybody suspected
When at last the Planter was observed
going toward the federal fleet off the bar
Sumter sgnaled toward Norris island to
stop her. but it was too late. AS the Plan
ter approached the federal fleet white
flag was displayed. but this was not at first
discovered and the federal steamers sup
to attack them stood out to 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.
Captain Nichols then boarded her. and
Smalls delivered the Planter to him. From
the Planter Smalls was transfe red to the
Augusta the flagship, off the bar. under
the command Of CAPTAIN Parrott. by whom
the Planter. with Sma,ls and her crew;
Dupont then In command of the Southern
SQUADRON.
mant at a valuation of $4,000 whereas the
real value of the boat is said to have been
s67 800. Smalls. after taking the Planter.
but by many other acts of daring won for
himself the rank OF captain.