Robert Smalls: "This Bold Feat So Skillfully"

Admiral Samuel F. Dupont sent the following dispatch to Secretary of the Navy Gideon Welles, describing when Robert Smalls escaped slavery and brought the steamer Planter out of Charleston Harbor and to the Union blockading squadron off the South Carolina coast. 

This copy of the dispatch appeared in the Poughkeepsie Eagle News on May 19, 1862.

Gallantry of the Negroes.

U.S. Steamer Augusta, Off Charleston, May 13.

To Hon. Gideon Welles:

Sir—I have the honor to inform you that the rebel armed steamer Planter was brought out to us this morning from Charleston by eight contrabands and delivered to the squadron. Five colored women and three children are also on board. She carried one 32 pounder, one 24 pound howitzer, and has also on board four large guns which she was engaged in transporting. I send her to Port Royal at once in order to take advantage of the present good weather. I send Charleston papers of the 12th. A very intelligent contraband who is in charge will give you the information he has brought off. I have the honor to request that you will send back as soon as convenient the officer and crew sent on board.

The foregoing interesting account from Commander Panill has been received at the Navy Department, having been forwarded by Commodore Dupont.

Commodore Dupont in forwarding his dispatch, says in relation to the rebel steamer Planter, she was the armed despatch and transportation steamer attached to the engineer department at Charleston, under Brig. Gen. Ripley. The bringing out of this steamer under all the circumstances would be a credit to any one.

At four in the morning, in the absence of the Captain, who was on shore, she left her wharf with the Palmetto and Confederate flag flying, passed the successive forts, Saturday, as usual by blowing the steam whistle. After getting beyond the range of the last gun she hauled down the rebel flag and hoisted a white one.

The Onward was the inside ship of the blockading squadron in the main channel and was preparing to fire when her commander made out the white flag.

Robert Small is the intelligent slave and pilot of the boat, who performed this bold feat so skillfully.

This man Robert Small is superior to any man who has come into our lines. His information has been very interesting and portions of it of the most important.

The steam is quite an acquisition to the squadron by her good machinery and very light draft.

I shall continue to employ Small as a pilot on board the Planter for inland waters, with which he appears to be very familiar.

I do not know whether in the view of the government the vessel will be considered a prize. If so, I respectfully submit the claims of the man Small.

S.F. Dupont

Flag Officer

Source:

Poughkeepsie Eagle-News, May 19, 1862, Page 2. (Accessed through Newspapers.com)