Harriet Tubman’s Civil War history in South Carolina, should be added to the public school systems for study.📚
The Civil War was a very costly battle that was fought between The United States (Union) and Southern States (Confederacy), that was over the moral issue of Slavery. This extremely bloody conflict occurred from 1861-1865 and although it was relatively short-lived, but the very violent battle fought between The Confederate Army of the South, and The American Union Army of the North; claimed more than just the hundreds of thousands of lives that were lost, as a result of the early American battle. This very brutal war was nearly catastrophic for some, and it is estimated that over 620,000 Americans died as a result of the Civil War.
History reflects several differences and disagreements between the North and the South prior to the Civil War. However, nothing separated these two sides more than their beliefs regarding Slavery.
It is true, that the subject of Slavery in South Carolina is much more complex than it appears, as it is often times a very uncomfortable topic to discuss for the majority of the states citizens.
It’s very troubling once you understand that the majority of the states students enrolled into early education (Public Schools) in South Carolina, have no knowledge of several African Americans who helped change, shape, and improve society prior to the Emancipation.
With the rediscovery of these stories that had been overlooked, we now have the potential to add much needed inspiration to Black Americans youth.
Black citizens, who have traditionally suffered from the absence of vital history. Black Americans who own an unknown and undiscovered amount of rich history that has been suppressed; displaying stories of Triumph that reflect, inspire, and represent the African American community. Over the years, countless children, parents, and concerned citizens have come forward expressing concerns about annual school sponsored field trips, taken by South Carolina state elementary students to Charleston, SC. This Infamous field trip takes students everywhere from Rainbow Row, Fort Sumter, and all areas in between, before visiting the USS Yorktown, which is docked in Charleston, SC.
This school sponsored field trip has had two totally difference effects on the children who attend, yet it serves it’s sole purpose of educating students on confederate victories and all stories that were prosperous to the Confederate Heritage. This same disturbing story has been one that is very unkind, unfair, and unfavorable to the African American students who attend.
Despite All of the many locations visited throughout the very Beautiful city of Charleston, SC; I do not recall visiting or having any discussions regarding Harriet Tubman’s involvement into the Civil War. What’s even more concerning, is the fact that the history of Harriet Tubman is equally relevant to South Carolina’s History, just as it is to the history of The Civil War and American history.
The factual information concerning The Combahee River Raid is very significant and has the potential to inspire “All Children” of every race. After all, It was Harriet Tubman’s work as a Union Spy in South Carolina that allowed Col. James Montgomery (North) to send the Union Army gunboats into the Combahee River.
Mrs. Tubman’s knowledge of the land, along with the plan she had made with the Enslaved around her, enabled the Union Army boats to safely navigate through the enemy waters at The Combahee. The success of this nearly impossible mission, was solely based on the intelligence that had been gathered, as a result of the hard work by Mrs. Tubman. By the end of the Combahee mission, Harriet Tubman’s efforts would prove to be responsible for freeing over 700 Slaves. A real life story of Moses, Mrs. Tubman rescued and later took the Enslaved 700 to freedom. American history reflects that Harriet Tubman is the only woman known to have led a military operation during the Civil War, and her amazing heroics at The Combahee, remains the most single successful military rescue in American history.
It’s always been so shocking to most, when discovering that that little known, but remarkable history took place in South Carolina. This is why this very meaningful information can no longer be overlooked and ignored by the history books of South Carolina. It is our responsibility to teach, reach, and properly inform all those who seek truth and Inspiration of the heroics of Mrs. Tubman. It’s disgraceful when you think that Harriet Tubman’s Brilliance is sometimes only acknowledged through her extraordinary accomplishments of the The Underground Railroad, yet her most championed achievement in South Carolina during the Civil War are left out.
There is no doubt, Mrs. Tubman’s efforts in South Carolina to free 700 slaves in The Combahee River Raid, surpasses any other rescue or military mission in American History. All students in South Carolina Public Schools deserve the opportunity to study such an Accomplished human being, such as Harriet Tubman. The continuation of the absence of the true history of Harriet Tubman and The Combahee River Raid, would be a continued disservice to the students of South Carolina. Please join The M.O.C.H.A. Foundation as we have written a letter of recommendation to the South Carolina School board, asking that Harriet Tubman’s history in relevance to the Combahee River Raid, be included into the studies of all Children within the Public School System of South Carolina.
Please assist The M.O.C.H.A. Foundation in our efforts to add Harriet Tubman and The Combahee River Raid to textbooks for studies statewide. Please Donate!
