We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
History

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

How Did Harriet Tubman Help the Union During the Civil War?

Updated: May 16, 2024
Views: 2,459
References
Share

Harriet Tubman is renowned for leading dozens of slaves to safety via the Underground Railroad, but all of her heroics weren't done so quietly. The woman nicknamed "Moses" also served in the Union Army, partnering with Colonel James Montgomery and the Second South Carolina Volunteers to plan and carry out the rescue of more than 700 enslaved people in what is known as the Combahee Ferry Raid of 1863.

The operation in South Carolina was secretly designed not only to free slaves but also to destroy rice plantations and recruit freedmen into military service.

"First and foremost, her priorities would be to defeat and destroy the system of slavery and in doing so, to definitely defeat the Confederacy,” said Brandi Brimmer, a history professor at Spelman College in Atlanta, Georgia. Because Tubman had been denied an education, she was illiterate and couldn't write down the plan's details. Instead, she committed them to memory.

Harriet Tubman, American hero:

  • Hit by a metal weight in her youth, Tubman suffered from narcolepsy, falling into sleeping spells that were hard to bring her out of.

  • Tubman cleverly planned slave escapes on Saturdays because slave owners allowed Sundays as a day of rest, so escapees would have an extra day to flee unnoticed.

  • In later life, Tubman became active in the women's suffrage movement.

Share
WiseGeek is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
Link to Sources
Discussion Comments
Share
https://direct.wisegeek.com/how-did-harriet-tubman-help-the-union-cause-during-the-civil-war.htm
Copy this link
WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.