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DISPATCH #032
■ True Stories

He Stole a Confederate Warship and Sailed It to Freedom

He Stole a Confederate Warship and Sailed It to Freedom
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Robert Smalls was born into slavery. In 1862 he stole a Confederate warship, dressed as the captain, signaled past every checkpoint in Charleston Harbor, and delivered the ship, fully armed to the Union Navy. He didn't wait for permission. He didn't wait for opportunity. He built both, and sailed straight through them.