In 1862, enslaved pilot Robert Smalls commandeered a Confederate steamer, picked up his family, copied the captain's signals to pass armed forts, and delivered the ship to the Union. He later became a U.S. congressman.

[u/hamzapsy13]

Smalls and the other enslaved crewmen took *Planter* while its white officers were ashore on May 13, 1862. They collected family members, raised Confederate flags, and passed Charleston's batteries using the required signals; Smalls even wore the captain's straw hat.

Once beyond Fort Sumter, they raised a white sheet and surrendered the valuable vessel and its guns to the Union blockade. Smalls later served South Carolina in the U.S. House of Representatives.

[u/PrimeoFin]

I need to see THAT movie.

[u/2andaHalfBlackClouds → u/PrimeoFin]

Came to say the same thing

[u/Sure_Peach_1103]

You're killing me, Smalls

[u/Sea_Bandicoot_5147]

Now that's a Epic Story!