The Civil War had raged for over a year; the Union navy blockaded much of the Atlantic and Gulf coasts. The Confederacy had dug in deep, defending coastal waters. After two weeks of supplying island forts, the C.S.S. Planter had just returned to Charleston. She was due to head out again next morning, so the steamer was armed to the teeth. The ship’s three officers spent the night ashore, leaving eight remaining crewmen – all slaves – on board. In the dead of night, Robert Smalls, the wheelman, slipped the Planter off the dock. He and his skeleton crew picked up family members at a prearranged spot. Disguised as the captain, Robert gave the proper signal codes to pass confederate checkpoints. Once they reached open waters, he hoisted a white flag and surrendered to the Union fleet. The heavily armed Confederate ship was handed over to the North. All aboard were freed, and the crew were (eventually) rewarded.
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