Robert Smalls Monument Proposition
“My race needs no special defense, for the past history of them in this country proves them to be equal of any people anywhere. All they need is an equal chance in the battle of life”. -Robert Smalls
Biography Robert Smalls was born a slave on April 5th, 1839 in Beaufort, South Carolina. He was brought into the Confederate Army to work on a heavily armed warship which he managed to steal from the Confederacy. He used this ship to free 17 slaves and sailed North to the Union Army. The army enlisted Robert to help fight the Confederacy in South Carolina using the ship he stole and his knowledge of the area allowed the Union to win 17 engagements in the area. After the war he ran for office and became a representative for South Carolina in Congress for 5 years. He also used his military commission to buy his former owners house in Beaufort where he died on February 23rd, 1915. The most significant Participant in the Civil War. First Black Captain of a U.S. Vessel S.C. State Legislator Major General in the S.C. Militia Five-Term U.S. Congressman U.S. Collector of Customs
Locations The location for the monument on campus would be in Presidents Park clearing near the Eisenhower Hall. I chose this area because it’s a large, open area that could be nice to have a small monument
Another location for the monument would be Robert’s home town of Beaufort, SC where he was born and where he eventually died.
Original Ideas The original ideas for the monument is a garden with 17 types of flowers to commemorate the 17 slaves he rescued with a plaque. This will also contain a section to commemorate Robert Smalls’ achievements.
Final Monument Idea
Plaque Text The plaque that will accompany the flower bed would read, “These flowers are here to represent the 17 slaves Robert Smalls saved and all of his achievements since then.”
Monument Drawings
Why he deserves a monument I think Robert Smalls deserves this monument because he was able to make a large impact as one man during the Civil War. He freed 17 slaves and helped the Union during the Blockade of Charleston. 17 battles including Battle of Simmons Bluff Second Battle of v Second Battle of Fort Sumter Sherman’s March to the Sea.
Images
The Planter: The boat captured by Robert Smalls to free 17 slaves and delivered to the Union
Sources https://www.pbs.org/wnet/african-americans-many-rivers-to-cross/history/which-slave-sailed-himself-to-freedom/ https://www.nps.gov/people/robert-smalls.htm https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/thrilling-tale-how-robert-smalls-heroically-sailed-stolen-confederate-ship-freedom-180963689/ https://history.house.gov/People/Detail/21764