Robert Smalls

By: Mya Lewis

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Robert Smalls is a hero worthy of being honored with his own special stamp. During his lifetime(1839-1915) Robert Smalls was a past slave who eventually become a hero for the Union in the American Civil War. One of the most important aspects of being a hero for Smalls was his fearless act in the American Civil War.

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Introduction

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Robert Smalls is a hero worthy of being honored with his own special stamp. During his lifetime(1839-1915) Robert Smalls was a past slave who eventually become a hero for the Union in the American Civil War. One of the most important aspects of being a hero for Smalls was his fearless act in the American Civil War.

Reason #1

In the year 1861, the Civil War broke out, Smalls was hired to work aboard the Confederate steamship Planter. The ship had carried ammunition for the Confederate Army. “On May 13,1862, he and the other blacks on board seized control of the ship in Charleston Harbor and turned it over to a Union naval squadron blockading the city. The incident brought Smalls great fame throughout the north and earned him a job in the Union Navy.”

 As the war came to an end Smalls returned to his home in Beaufort and became active in politics. “ He served in the South Carolina House of Representatives from 1868 to 1870 and in the state Senate from 1870 to 1804.”

 "As a representative, Smalls spoke out in defense of all African Americans. He called for equal rights and equal opportunity for all."

Reason #2

 As the war came to an end Smalls returned to his home in Beaufort and became active in politics. “ He served in the South Carolina House of Representatives from 1868 to 1870 and in the state Senate from 1870 to 1804.”

 "As a representative, Smalls spoke out in defense of all African Americans. He called for equal rights and equal opportunity for all."

Reason #3

 After Smalls bought his freedom he chose to become a ship pilot in the Union Navy. He fought in 17 battles, he also recruited 1000s of colored men for the army.

Conclusion

Robert Smalls was a hero to our history he impacted this country by helping other colored men join the army. He did the right thing and turned the ship into the Union naval because of all the guns and ammunition brought aboard. After he bought his freedom he choose to become a ship pilot for the Union Navy. Smalls was a hero due to his heroic acts of fearlessness.

Robert Smalls: A Daring Escape | Season 1 Episode 3 | The African Americans: Many Rivers to Cross