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Wicked SC Lowcountry: Meet ACE Basin native, Civil War hero Robert Smalls.Wicked SC Lowcountry: Meet ACE Basin native, Civil War hero Robert Smalls The South Carolina Lowcountry, primarily the ACE Basin watershed area, is facing new development in the form of massive data centers and power plants and the underground pipelines that feed them.With this in mind, the purpose of the Wicked S.C.Lowcountry column is now to highlight the rich and "wickedly" interesting history and culture of the ACE Basin area and surrounding Lowcountry.Perhaps if we understand more about our history, we can better shape our future, and if we know more about the ACE Basin, we can work harder to protect it.Civil War hero and Reconstruction-era statesman Robert Smalls honored The ACE Basin's history continues to be memorialized, and now, more than 161 years after hijacking a Confederate ship for a historic joyride to freedom, a Civil War hero and Reconstruction-era statesman is being honored with a monument in South Carolina's capital city.The Robert Smalls Monument Commission held a groundbreaking ceremony for the coming Robert Smalls Monument on Wednesday, May 13, in Columbia.The ceremonial groundbreaking was held at a special site on the northwest quadrant of the South Carolina State House grounds that was designated and approved by the S.C.legislature, and in attendance last week were the heads of the Palmetto State, including Governor Henry D.McMaster and S.C.Representative Brandon L.Cox, primary sponsor of the monument legislation.These dignitaries joined members of the Robert Smalls Monument Commission and other legislative leaders in recognizing the life and legacy of Robert Smalls.But Smalls wasn't so dear to the hearts of Carolina's Confederate leaders during the Civil War.Who was Robert Smalls, and why is he important to SC history?Historical information courtesy of Robert Smalls Monument Commission | Department of Administration Smalls, a Beaufort native, was a heroic figure during "The War Between the States" before becoming a public servant and statesman who served in both the South Carolina Legislature and the United States House of Representatives.Smalls was born into slavery in 1839, in Beaufort, S.C.By the time he was in his early 20s, Smalls had won freedom for himself and his family and was a naval war hero.He became a prominent leader in the community during the Reconstruction era, including service in both the state and national legislature.During the Civil War, Smalls commandeered the Confederate ship, the USS Planter, on which he was an enslaved crewmember, delivering himself and its black passengers from slavery to freedom through a gauntlet of gunboats and forts in the Charleston harbor.Smalls sailed the group out to the U.S.naval blockade squadron and turned the USS Planter over to the United States Navy.From that moment on, he dedicated himself to the fight for justice and equality.Following his escape, Smalls served in the Union Navy.He piloted both the USS Planter and the USS Keokuk, an ironclad screw steamer which was sunk by enemy fire in April 1863, injuring Smalls.His maritime knowledge and geography of the South Carolina coast proved to be an asset to the Union military.He became a prominent leader in the community during the Reconstruction era, including service at both the state and national levels.Smalls served in the S.C.House of Representatives, the S.C.Senate and the U.S.House of Representatives for five non-consecutive years.Smalls spoke openly in defense of his race and party.Even with the rise of Jim Crow laws, he stood firm as an unyielding advocate for the political rights of African Americans.His fascinating life story illustrates the transformative potential of Reconstruction throughout the southern United States.Here are some facts about Smalls: One of the first South Carolinians to advocate successfully for compulsory education.Played a critical role in bridging relations between the black and white communities during and after Reconstruction.First black man to become a pilot in the United States Navy.Founded the Enterprise Railroad Company of Charleston.Served as a Brigadier General of the South Carolina Militia.Opened a store for freedmen and a school for black children.Published a newspaper called the Beaufort Southern Standard.Served as the U.S.Customs collector at the port of Beaufort.Promoted the establishment of the US Naval Station at Port Royal and the purchase of Parris Island.In 2007, the support vessel, Maj.Robert Smalls, was the first US Army ship to be named after an African American, honoring the legacy of Robert Smalls.Smalls married Hannah Jones and, upon her death, remarried Annie Wigg.He had four children: Elizabeth, Sarah, Robert, Jr., and William Robert.Smalls died in Beaufort on Feb.22, 1915, in the same house behind which he had been born and served as a slave, and later came to purchase.More about The Robert Smalls Monument Commission To honor his contributions to American and South Carolina history, The Robert Smalls Monument Commission was created by Act 183 of the 2024 South Carolina Legislature to determine the design and location of a monument honoring Smalls on the State House grounds.Since 2024, the Robert Smalls Monument Commission, composed of several S.C.Senators and Representatives, has worked to design a monument to preserve the historical significance of Smalls' life and contributions, and to raise public and private funding for the project.How you can help and donate to the Robert Smalls Monument If you wish to donate towards the design of the Robert Smalls Monument, or its ultimate construction and dedication, you may submit donations: Paper Check: Make checks payable to “Robert Smalls Monument Commission.”Checks may be mailed to: The Robert Smalls Monument Commission South Carolina Department of Administration 1200 Senate Street, Suite 409 Columbia, SC 29201 Online:You may submit donations online using electronic check, debit or credit card (Mastercard, Visa and American Express).There is a $2,500 limit per transaction for online donations.For information on the Robert Smalls Monument Commission, visit admin.sc.gov/robertsmalls.This article originally appeared on Bluffton Today: Wicked SC Lowcountry: Meet ACE Basin native, Civil War hero Robert Smalls