Harriet Tubman: Freedom Fighter and Military Leader
Harriet Tubman is widely known for her courageous efforts as an abolitionist and conductor on the Underground Railroad. However, her contributions extended beyond freeing enslaved people—she also made history as the first woman to lead a major U.S. military operation.
During the Civil War, Tubman worked as a scout, spy, and nurse for the Union Army. In 1863, Union Colonel James Montgomery sought her expertise for a secret military mission known as the Combahee Ferry Raid in South Carolina. Tubman used her knowledge of the terrain and her skills in espionage to gather intelligence, locate enemy defenses, and plan escape routes for enslaved people.
On the night of June 1, 1863, Tubman and Montgomery led three federal gunboats up the Combahee River. As they advanced, Union troops set fire to Confederate plantations and destroyed supply lines. Hundreds of enslaved people, realizing the boats carried Union soldiers, rushed to the shore for rescue. Amid the chaos, Tubman calmed the crowd by singing, helping them board safely.
The raid was a massive success, freeing over 700 enslaved men, women, and children, many of whom later joined the Union Army. Tubman’s leadership in this operation demonstrated her strategic brilliance and unwavering dedication to freedom.
After the war, she continued to fight for civil rights and was posthumously honored with the rank of Brigadier General in 2024. Harriet Tubman’s legacy as a freedom fighter and military leader remains an enduring symbol of resilience and justice.
Planning the Combahee Ferry Raid
In early 1863, Union Colonel James Montgomery sought Harriet Tubman’s expertise for a covert military operation in South Carolina’s Lowcountry. The mission had two main objectives: cripple Confederate supply lines by destroying key infrastructure and free enslaved people working on nearby plantations. Tubman’s deep knowledge of the terrain, her espionage skills, and her ability to communicate with the enslaved population made her an invaluable asset in the raid’s planning.
Tubman spent weeks scouting the area, gathering intelligence from enslaved individuals who worked on plantations. She identified Confederate defenses, hidden river obstacles, and supply depots, ensuring the success of the mission. Her ability to blend in and earn the trust of enslaved people allowed her to relay crucial details back to Montgomery and Union forces.
With Tubman’s intelligence, Montgomery devised a strategy involving three Union gunboats—Sentinel, Harriet A. Weed, and John Adams—which would travel up the Combahee River under the cover of darkness. The plan was to destroy a Confederate pontoon bridge to disrupt supply lines and raid plantations along the riverbanks, freeing enslaved people as they advanced.
Tubman played a pivotal role in coordinating escape efforts, ensuring enslaved people were ready to flee when the boats arrived. Her leadership in planning the Combahee Ferry Raid not only contributed to a major Union victory but also solidified her place as the first woman to lead a U.S. military operation.
Execution of the Combahee Ferry Raid
On the night of June 1, 1863, Harriet Tubman and Colonel James Montgomery set sail from Beaufort, South Carolina, aboard three Union gunboats: Sentinel, Harriet A. Weed, and John Adams. The mission aimed to destroy Confederate supply lines and free enslaved people from plantations along the Combahee River.
As the boats moved upstream, the Sentinel ran aground, forcing its soldiers to transfer to the remaining vessels. The Union forces, including Black soldiers from the 2nd South Carolina Volunteers, advanced cautiously, relying on Tubman’s reconnaissance work to avoid enemy traps. Confederate pickets spotted the ships but were too unprepared to mount a strong defense.
At dawn on June 2, 1863, Union troops stormed plantations along the river, setting fire to mills, outbuildings, and Confederate storehouses. Hundreds of enslaved people, initially hesitant, rushed to the shore upon realizing the boats carried Union soldiers. In the chaos, Col. Montgomery called out to Tubman, saying, “Moses, you’ll have to give ‘em a song.” Tubman responded by singing a familiar tune, calming the crowd and organizing them for evacuation.
Small rowboats ferried the newly freed men, women, and children to the gunboats. Before Confederate reinforcements could arrive, the Union forces withdrew successfully, having freed over 700 enslaved individuals and dealt a major blow to the Confederate economy.
The Combahee Ferry Raid was a resounding success, proving Tubman’s military leadership and paving the way for more Black soldiers to join the Union Army.
The Raid in Action
On the night of June 1, 1863, Harriet Tubman and Colonel James Montgomery launched the Combahee Ferry Raid from Beaufort, South Carolina. They traveled aboard three Union gunboats—Sentinel, Harriet A. Weed, and John Adams—carrying Union troops, including Black soldiers from the 2nd South Carolina Volunteers. As they moved up the Combahee River, Confederate sentries spotted them but were caught off guard, unable to mount an effective defense.
Before reaching their targets, the Sentinel ran aground, forcing its troops to transfer to the remaining two gunboats. The Union forces pressed forward, stopping at key points along the river to rescue enslaved people who had been informed of the raid. Many were waiting, ready to flee, while others hesitated, unsure if the Union soldiers could be trusted.
At dawn on June 2, 1863, the gunboats reached Confederate-held plantations. Union troops stormed ashore, torching mills, plantations, and Confederate supply depots. As enslaved people saw the destruction and realized they were being rescued, hundreds rushed to the riverbanks.
Amid the chaos, Col. Montgomery called Tubman, saying, “Moses, you’ll have to give ‘em a song.” She responded by singing a spiritual, calming the crowd and guiding them onto rowboats that ferried them to the gunboats. By the time Confederate reinforcements arrived, the Union forces had freed over 700 enslaved people and inflicted heavy losses on the Confederate economy.
The Combahee Ferry Raid was a major Union victory and a historic moment in Harriet Tubman’s legacy as a military leader.
Harriet Tubman’s Leadership in the Raid
Harriet Tubman’s role in the Combahee Ferry Raid was more than just support—she was a strategic leader, intelligence expert, and a symbol of hope for hundreds of enslaved people. As the first woman to lead a U.S. military operation, she played a critical role in planning and executing the mission, ensuring its success.
Before the raid, Tubman worked as a spy and scout, gathering intelligence from enslaved workers and mapping enemy positions. Her ability to navigate hostile territory and communicate with the enslaved population allowed the Union forces to move undetected. She identified Confederate supply lines, troop placements, and river obstacles, which were crucial to the raid’s success.
During the operation, Tubman helped coordinate the escape of over 700 enslaved people. Many were hesitant, fearing capture or deception, but Tubman’s presence reassured them. When chaos erupted as people rushed to board the Union boats, Col. James Montgomery called on Tubman, saying, “Moses, you’ll have to give ‘em a song.” She responded by singing a familiar spirit, calming the crowd and organizing their safe evacuation.
Her leadership extended beyond the battlefield. After the raid, many of the freedmen enlisted in the Union Army, further strengthening the fight against slavery. Tubman’s bravery and strategic mind were instrumental in making the Combahee Ferry Raid one of the most successful missions of the Civil War. Her legacy as both a freedom fighter and military leader remains a testament to her extraordinary contributions to American history.
Aftermath and Legacy
The Combahee Ferry Raid was a resounding success, dealing a major blow to the Confederate economy and freeing over 700 enslaved people. Many of those rescued went on to join the Union Army, strengthening the fight against slavery. The raid also proved the effectiveness of Black soldiers in combat, helping to further their role in the Civil War.
For Harriet Tubman, the mission solidified her place in history as the first woman to lead a U.S. military operation. Her expertise in espionage, strategy, and leadership was widely recognized, yet she received little official compensation or acknowledgment at the time. Despite her contributions, she struggled for years to receive a military pension, which was only partially granted in her later years.
After the war, Tubman continued her lifelong fight for justice. She settled in Auburn, New York, where she advocated for formerly enslaved people, supported the women’s suffrage movement, and opened a home for the elderly. Her dedication to freedom and equality never wavered.
In 2024, over a century after her passing, Maryland Governor Wes Moore posthumously awarded Tubman the rank of Brigadier General, recognizing her extraordinary contributions to the Union cause.
Harriet Tubman’s legacy as a freedom fighter, military leader, and humanitarian remains an enduring inspiration. Her bravery and leadership in the Combahee Ferry Raid not only
Conclusion
Harriet Tubman’s role in the Combahee Ferry Raid showcased her exceptional leadership, strategic brilliance, and unwavering commitment to freedom. As the first woman to lead a U.S. military operation, she played a crucial role in gathering intelligence, planning the mission, and guiding over 700 enslaved people to freedom. Her efforts not only weakened the Confederate economy but also reinforced the vital role of Black soldiers in the Union Army.
Beyond the battlefield, Tubman’s legacy continued through her advocacy for civil rights, women’s suffrage, and social justice. Though she faced challenges in receiving recognition during her lifetime, her impact on history is undeniable.
Today, Harriet Tubman stands as a symbol of courage, resilience, and justice, inspiring generations to fight for equality and human rights. Her story reminds us that true leadership is defined by action, sacrifice, and an unwavering commitment to doing what is right.
