This book is an autobiography of an American hero named Robert Smalls. His life was that of a true hero who started from nothing to making it to be one of the most important people in black history. He is a hero not many talk about when faced with the era of Black Reconstruction as there were figures that held much more weight. Robert Smalls although had a life that was fascinating and interesting to read and learn about.

Robert Smalls Life

Robert Smalls was born a slave on April 5th, 1839 in Beaufort, South Carolina. He was the son of Lydia Polite. She was born a slave sometime in 1790 on the Ashdale Plantation. Later in her life she was made a house servant in John McKee’s home who was the owner of the plantation. She lived better than other slaves, had good food, and dressed well, but of course had no freedom. Robert was born on John McKee’s plantation and grew up in that house. He was luckier then other slaves from a very young age his master John McKee liked him very much. Eventually Robert moved to Charleston after his master John’s son Henry conducted business involving his plantation. Robert began to work at Charleston with his first job being a waiter. Robert loved to swim he felt free when he was able to get to the water front of Charleston. People noticed his energy and love for the water and he began to work on boats. This would be the origin story of a Civil War hero. After working for a while in 1857 Robert was able to buy his freedom with the money he saved. He got married after to a slave woman named Hannah Jones he also bought her freedom. For time up till the Civil War began Robert had mastered the waterfronts of South Carolina and Georgia, and knew everything about it equipping himself perfectly for the war. He was a trained boat pilot at this point and that brings us to what he accomplished during the Civil War. On May 13, 1862 he abducted a Confederate ship named the ‘Planter’ that carried 16 slaves from the south and Confederate artillery. Using his great knowledge and skills as a boat pilot he guided the ships from Charleston harbor to the Union fleet. After this act of heroism he became a second lieutenant in the Union army and piloted the ‘Planter’ for the remainder of the war. He led that ship into more battles and more victories. After the war ended Robert Smalls decided to open up a school in Beaufort, South Carolina. This school was for black children that he wanted to educate now that they were all majorly free. Moving on further down his life during the Congressional Reconstruction he was elected as a delegate to the state constitutional convention. Robert had power and money and South Carolina he was loved by many. He had lots of popularity that helped reach political heights in his life. In 1870 he was elected as a Senator and 4 years later elected as a representative in Congress. He accomplished great things as a politician but some things to highlight would be providing South Carolina the first free compulsory public school system in the United States. He also founded the Republican Party of South Carolina. He served in Congress from 1875 to 1886. he suffered a defeat towards the end of his Congressional career as he was convicted of taking a bribe for helping a $25,000 printing claim be passed and proved by Assembly while he was the chairman of the committee on printing. he appealed to the Supreme court and a deal was made and soon after retired from Congress. He continued to be politically involved after that. Robert Smalls died on February 23, 1915 cause of death was malaria and diabetes he was 76. During the times he was alive Robert Smalls experienced it all, slavery, emancipation, war, and he was able to see Black American men gaining the right to vote and to hold positions in government. He was an American hero and has every right to be remembered as one.

Black Reconstruction

Some background on the era in which Robert Smalls made great strides. The Reconstruction era followed after the Civil War where African Americans who had just been freed now had to move into society they didn’t know well. They faced challenges that included making their own homes, farming their own lands, creating communities, creating churches for people to go to, and the fight for equal justice against the violence of racism.