Harriet Tubman’s lowcountry raid

Two days before the infamous “Burning of Bluffton”, in June of 1863, a Union gunboat raid on several nearby Combahee River rice plantations resulted in the escape and freedom of about 70 enslaved people. The raid would never have happened without the aid of local guide and scout, Harriet Tubman, who had information that would aid in navigation.

Young Harriet was serving with the Union on Hilton Head, where she was a valuable resource in scouting and providing underground information. It was decided that she should accompany the captain of the raid in order to point out the dangerous mines that were anchored at strategic spots on the Combahee. The barrier islands and complex tidal river system was a hazard to navigate for the Union warships. In addition, many shallow mines had been laid in some spots on the rivers.

These vessels, referred to as “gunboats”, were wide-beamed, shallow-draft boats up to 180-ft. long, and were usually converted from merchant ships. See the Harper’s Weekly illustration of the raid, and note the size of these ships. They usually had one large-bore gun on the fore and aft. These guns were extremely heavy, and as result, the boats were cumbersome and tricky to steer.

As the side paddlewheel steamboats made their way up the river, where they trained their artillery on the plantation houses of the Heywards and other wealthy planters, many enslaved workers dove into the river and swam to the boats, where they were rescued and taken away. Over 70 enslaved rice workers found their freedom that day, and many later signed up to serve in the Union Army.

This was just one of many services that Harriet would provide to her fellow enslaved and to the Union forces throughout the war. Her influence was profound in our local history and her efforts to free and educate so many people are a part of our shared legacy.