Top ten things to know about Robert smalls

He was raised a slave in Beaufort, SC. He escaped from slavery in Charleston aboard the Planter. He met Abraham Lincoln who gave him $1,500 in reward money. He became the first Union Civil War hero. He became the first black Pilot for the U.S. Navy. He helped convince Lincoln to allow blacks to fight for the Union. He purchased his former Masters home in Beaufort. He served five terms in the U.S. Congress. He sponsored the legislation for Parris Island Marine base. A U.S. Navy ship, the MG Robert Smalls LSV-8, was named after him in 2004.