Robert Smalls’ legacy will be remembered this weekend

  • BY BRIAN HICKS // bhicks@postandcourier.com
  • Tuesday, May 8th, 2012
    Elizabeth Lydia Smalls was a young girl when she was hidden aboard the CSS Planter and smuggled out of Charleston by her father, Robert Smalls. She would tell stories of her escape from the Confederacy to her granddaughter, Helen Moore, decades later.

    Elizabeth Lydia Smalls was a young girl when she was hidden aboard the CSS Planter and smuggled out of Charleston by her father, Robert Smalls. She would tell stories of her escape from the Confederacy to her granddaughter, Helen Moore, decades later.

    This weekend marks the 150th anniversary of Robert Smalls’ daring escape from slavery aboard the Planter (top). Elizabeth Lydia Smalls (inset) was a young girl when she was hidden aboard the boat. She would tell stories of her escape from the Confederacy to her granddaughter, Helen Moore, decades later.

    This weekend marks the 150th anniversary of Robert Smalls’ daring escape from slavery aboard the Planter (top). Elizabeth Lydia Smalls (inset) was a young girl when she was hidden aboard the boat. She would tell stories of her escape from the Confederacy to her granddaughter, Helen Moore, decades later.

    Deborah Thomas, who is visiting Charleston from New Albany, Ohio, spends time learning about Robert Smalls on Monday at the Charleston Museum.

    Deborah Thomas, who is visiting Charleston from New Albany, Ohio, spends time learning about Robert Smalls on Monday at the Charleston Museum. Buy this photo