Be free or die : the amazing story of Robert Smalls' escape from slavery to Union hero Cover Image

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Be free or die : the amazing story of Robert Smalls' escape from slavery to Union hero

Summary:

"It was a mild May morning in Charleston, South Carolina, in 1862, the second year of the Civil War, when a twenty-three-year-old slave named Robert Smalls did the unthinkable and boldly seized a Confederate steamer. With his wife and two young children hidden on board, Smalls and a small crew ran a gauntlet of heavily armed fortifications in Charleston Harbor and delivered the valuable vessel and the massive guns it carried to nearby Union forces. To be unsuccessful was a death sentence for all. Smalls' courageous and ingenious act freed him and his family from slavery and immediately made him a Union hero while simultaneously challenging much of the country's view of what African Americans were willing to do to gain their freedom. After his escape, Smalls served in numerous naval campaigns off Charleston as a civilian boat pilot and eventually became the first black captain of an Army ship...Be Free or Die is a compelling narrative that illuminates Robert Smalls' amazing journey from slave to Union hero and ultimately United States Congressman."--Dust jacket.

Record details

ISBN: 9781250101860
ISBN: 1250101867
ISBN: 9781250101877
Physical Description: xiii, 272 pages,16 unnumbered pages of plates : illustrations, map ; 22 cm
Edition: First edition.
Publisher: New York, NY : St. Martin's Press, [2017]

Content descriptions

General Note:	"June 2017"--Title page verso.
Bibliography, etc. Note:	Includes bibliographical references (pages 237-263) and index.
Formatted Contents Note:	Prologue -- The escape -- South Carolina's son -- In the service of the Confederacy -- Union hero -- Our country calls -- North and south -- The Keokuk -- Captain Smalls -- The City of Brotherly Love -- Triumph and tragedy -- Retaliation and reward -- Epilogue.