The "Planter" sits in the harbor in Charleston in 1860.
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On the night of May 12, approximately sixteen freedom seekers made a daring escape from enslavement by commandeering the Confederate steamer the “Planter.” Piloting the ship from Charleston to Beaufort the crew mimicked the Confederate signals and safely reached emancipation the morning of May 13. On this page learn the story of each of the freedom seekers on the “Planter.” This is an ongoing research project, so check back for additional stories.
Failure and detection would have been certain death. Fearful was the venture, but it was made.
Locations:Fort Sumter and Fort Moultrie National Historical Park,Reconstruction Era National Historical Park
Susan Small was a seventeen-year-old wife and mother when she escaped to freedom with her infant son Philip aboard the Confederate steamer the "Planter."
Locations:Fort Sumter and Fort Moultrie National Historical Park,Reconstruction Era National Historical Park
John Small freed himself, his wife Susan, and their infant son Phillip during a dangerous escape aboard the Confederate steamer, Planter. As the ship’s engineer, John was instrumental in the success of the mission in which he and pilot Robert Smalls brought a total of sixteen men, women and children out of slavery and into freedom.
Locations:Reconstruction Era National Historical Park
The story of an enslaved man in Charleston liberating himself aboard a stolen Confederate vessel, who came to Beaufort, purchased property, served in the military, owned a business, and was elected to political office – sounds like a familiar story to many in the South Carolina Lowcountry. However, most people have never heard of William C. Morrison.
Locations:Fort Sumter and Fort Moultrie National Historical Park,Reconstruction Era National Historical Park
Abram Allston piloted his way to freedom onboard the Planter, and then joined the Navy, but spent the rest of his life fighting for recognition and a military pension.
Locations:Fort Sumter and Fort Moultrie National Historical Park,Reconstruction Era National Historical Park
Robert Smalls shocked the Confederacy when he piloted the CSS Planter to the Union naval blockade outside of Charleston Harbor. He later returned to Charleston Harbor as a Union naval pilot and fought in several naval engagements in South Carolina waters. After the Civil War, Smalls represented his native Beaufort district in the US Congress.
Locations:Charles Young Buffalo Soldiers National Monument,Fort Davis National Historic Site,Fort Sumter and Fort Moultrie National Historical Park,Guadalupe Mountains National Park,Reconstruction Era National Historical Park
A moment of freedom becomes a lifetime of service – and a mystery. From his escape on the Planter with Robert Smalls to a long history of military service, learn Gabriel Turner's story in this article.
Locations:Fort Sumter and Fort Moultrie National Historical Park,Reconstruction Era National Historical Park
Annie White made her daring escape from slavery to freedom aboard the Confederate steamer, "The Planter" in the early hours of May 13, 1862. Annie was one of two single women who joined the crew that night seeking freedom.
Locations:Fort Sumter and Fort Moultrie National Historical Park,Reconstruction Era National Historical Park
On the night of May 12, approximately sixteen freedom seekers made a daring escape from enslavement by commandeering the Confederate steamer the “Planter.” Piloting the ship from Charleston to Beaufort the crew mimicked the Confederate signals and safely reached emancipation the morning of May 13.
For this special episode of "Ranger Chats on Reconstruction," Park Rangers Victoria Smalls and Rich Condon meet with Michael Moore, the great great grandson of Robert Smalls, one of the region's most significant figures of Reconstruction. Mr. Moore shares his ancestors story and legacy as they visit sites throughout Beaufort County, South Carolina.
