1623326 Robert Smalls, Pilot of the Planter, 1862-65 (b/w photo) by American Photographer, (19th century); Hagley Museum & Library, Wilmington, Delaware, USA; (add.info.: Robert Smalls (April 5, 1839 ??February 23, 1915) was an enslaved African American who, during and after the American Civil War, became a ship\'s pilot, sea captain, and politician. He freed himself, his crew and their families from slavery on May 13, 1862, by commandeering a Confederate transport ship, the CSS Planter, in Charleston harbor, and sailing it to freedom beyond the Federal blockade. His example and persuasion helped convince President Lincoln to accept African-American soldiers into the Union Army.); 穢 Hagley Museum and Library .