May 19, 1863. |
1863. |
May. |
 |
| The planter. |
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and declared “that slavery and martial law in a free country were altogether incompatible.”
This was a step too far in advance of public sentiment and the Government policy at that time, so President Lincoln annulled the order,
and “President” Davis outlawed Hunter.1
At about that time measures were perfected for seizing Wadmelaw and John's Islands, that the National troops might gain a position within cannon-shot of Charleston.
Careful reconnoissances had been made, soundings taken, and the channel of Stono River, which separates the islands of John's and James's, had been carefully marked by buoys.
Every thing was in readiness for an advance toward the middle of May,
when that movement was hastened by information given respecting military-affairs at Charleston by an intelligent slave, named Robert Small, the pilot of the Confederate gun-boat Planter, who, with eight dusky companions (composing, with himself, the pilot and crew of the steamer) escaped in that vessel from Charleston harbor, and on the evening of the 12th
placed her alongside the Wabash, Dupont's flag-ship, not far from Hilton Head.2 The information given by
Small (who was taken into the National service) was valuable, and on the 20th the gun-boats Unadilla, Pembina, and Ottawa crossed the bar at the mouth of the Stono and proceeded up that stream.
The Confederates occupying the earth-works along the banks of that river, which were shelled by the boats, fled at their approach, and the vessels moved cautiously on without hinderance to the junction of the Stono and Wappoo Creek, a few miles from Charleston, from which points the spires of the city were easily seen.
Unfortunately, the gun-boats were unsupported by land troops, and their presence served only to announce to the Confederates an evident preparation for attacking Charleston.
1 On the 21st of August following, Davis issued an order at Richmond, directing that Generals Hunter and Phelps (see page 225, volume II.) should “no longer be held and treated as public enemies of the Confederate States, but as outlaws.” Such fulminations of the chief Conspirator, who was always ready to raise the black flag when he thought it safe to do so, were quite common during the earlier years of the war.
2 The Planter was a high-pressure, side-wheel steamer, and drew only about five feet of water. Small and his colored companions arranged for the escape, and when, on the evening of the 11th of May, the white officers of the vessel went on shore to spend the night, the negroes proceeded to put their plans into execution. The family of Small and that of the engineer were taken on board. The remainder of the company (consisting of John Small and Alfred Gourdine, engineers; Abraham Jackson, Gabriel Turno, William Morrison, Samuel Chisholm, Abraham Allston, and David Jones) were without families. In the darkness the vessel passed down the harbor, but did not reach Fort Sumter until daylight, when a proper signal was given, and she passed on unsuspected. When out of reach of Confederate batteries, Small raised a white flag and went out to the blockading squadron, where he gave up the vessel to the captain of the Augusta. That officer sent her with her pilot and crew to Dupont, who placed the families in safety at Beaufort, and took Small and his companions, with the vessel, into the service. In the autumn, when the white captain of that vessel refused to act as such when she was about to go under fire, he was removed, and Small was put in his place, with his titles and duties.
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