SC Statehouse to Honor Robert Smalls with Monument
The South Carolina General Assembly has passed a bill to honour Civil War hero, Reconstruction leader and Congressman Robert Smalls with a monument at the Statehouse. This unanimous effort is seen as a significant move to portray the complex and fascinating past of South Carolina and its leaders.
Historic Hero and New Monument
Robert Smalls’ brave escape from slavery on May 13, 1862, is a notable chapter of South Carolina’s history. Smalls, the enslaved pilot of a Confederate ship named the Planter, took command of the ship while the white crew members were ashore. Along with other enslaved crew members, he navigated the ship past the highly guarded Charleston harbor, sailing past forts Moultrie and Sumter, using proper signals to avoid arousing suspicion. Smalls then handed over the ship and crucial information about the Confederacy’s defences to the U.S. Navy.
William Smalls’ life story extends far beyond this singular act of audacious bravery. Born into slavery in Beaufort in 1839, Smalls’ military experience began with the commandeering of the Planter. He served aboard a Union Army vessel and rapidly rose through the ranks, becoming the first black captain of an Army ship.
Upon his return to Beaufort in 1864, Smalls purchased the mansion of the man who once enslaved him using his reward money from the seizure of the Planter. His pacific relations with the military authorities as well as the thousands of newly freed individuals along the South Carolina coast paved the way for his political career.
Political Contributions
Smalls served as a delegate to the 1864 Republican National Convention, opened a store for freedmen, and was an advocate for public education. He had a hand in drafting South Carolina’s new constitution in 1868, stressing the importance of public education. Smalls held positions in the state House, the state Senate and later, served five terms in Congress before his retirement in 1887.
In recent years, renewed interest in African American history and a 2017 biography have slowly brought Smalls’ story back into the public eye. An executive order in 2017 led to the establishment of the Reconstruction Era National Monument in Beaufort County, further highlighting Smalls’ legacy.
The Monument in the Making
The bill to honor Robert Smalls with a monument has gained support from both sides of the aisle. South Carolina Representative Brandon Cox participates actively in the project, advocating for a fitting tribute to Smalls. The new panel formed for this initiative aims to establish a nonprofit organization to raise private funding needed for the design and commission of the monument.
It is hoped that the monument will be ready for unveiling by July 4, 2026, to mark the 250th anniversary of the nation’s founding. This would be a significant addition, given that South Carolina became the first state to dedicate a black history monument on capitol grounds in 2001. A monument to Robert Smalls, the state’s lesser-known but highly commendable leader, would provide further recognition to the state’s rich and diverse history.
