An event marking the flight to freedom of Robert Smalls, a slave who was employed by the Confederates as a ship’s pilot in Charleston, South Carolina. On May 13, 1862, Smalls commandeered the transport ship CSS Planter, stopped at a dock to pick up his family and 12 other slaves, made his way out of Charleston Harbor by impersonating the ship's captain, then surrendered the 147 foot vessel to the blockading Federal ship USS Onward. During Reconstruction, Robert Smalls served South Carolina in the U.S. House of Representatives for five terms. Discussed is Smalls attempts to pass civil rights legislation and his fight for equality in the armed forces. The Morris Brown AME Church in Charleston, South Carolina hosted this event.