South Carolina Forms Commission to Celebrate Civil War Hero & Politician, Robert Smalls

South Carolina Forms Commission to Celebrate Civil War Hero & Politician, Robert Smalls

Hey folks! There’s been some pretty cool news over in South Carolina lately. The governor, Henry McMaster, is planning to sign a bill that’ll set up a commission for creating a monument to a real local hero, Robert Smalls. This new setup, called the Robert Smalls Monument Commission, is going to have its very first meeting on August 28 to figure out how to make this idea happen.

Who’s Robert Smalls?

Great question! Smalls was a pretty amazing guy. He was born into slavery but during the Civil War he actually managed to steal a Confederate steamship right here in Charleston and handed it over to the Union Navy. On top of that, he managed to sneak his family and the families of other crewmen onboard and past the enemy lines. Anyway, after the war, he ended up getting into politics and became a State legislator and even a U.S. Congressman.

Why a Monument Now?

Turns out, the state celebrated its first Robert Smalls Day back in May to honor his contribution to both the Civil War and the Reconstruction era. Now, with the formation of this Monument Commission, Smalls is set to make history again as the first individual Black person to have a monument at the state’s capitol complex. That’s pretty awesome, right?

A Team Effort

Bringing this idea to life wasn’t just a solo gig. One of the folks behind the movement was a guy named Brandon Cox, who’s a representative for the S.C House. He’s also one of the four legislators from the tri-county areas appointed to this commission. According to him, this project is aiming to bring folks together during a time when everything feels so divided.

Who Else Is on the Commission?

Well, there are three other House members including Wendell Gilliard, Jermaine Johnson Sr., Patrick Bonner Haddon, and Sylleste H. Davis. Then over at the Senate, we’ve got Gerald Malloy, Shane Massey, Tom Davis, Chip Campsen III, and Margie Bright Matthews.

What’s Next?

Now the commission has to raise money for the monument and put together a plan for what it’ll look like and where it’ll be placed. They’re hoping to have that all sorted out by January 2025, so we’ve got a bit of a wait ahead but it’s going to be worth it.

Where Will It Be?

The exact position of the Smalls’ monument is still up for discussion. Though, some folks reckon that it’d be best placed on the north side of the Statehouse since it has a higher visibility. If that happens, it’ll be the second African American history memorial at the capitol, with the first being the African American History Monument which was completed back in 2001.

In Conclusion

So there you have it. Pretty amazing that Smalls’ legacy is still being recognized after all these years, right? It’s a great reminder of the diverse and rich history that South Carolina has to offer and a step in the right direction to honor it. Can’t wait to see how the monument turns out!