Dr. D. Elisabeth Glassco

On June 2, 1863, 160 years ago today, Harriet Tubman commanded 300 Black soldiers in the audacious Raid on Combahee Ferry. With the Union Army backing her up, The General, as she was called, liberated 800 people, destroyed supplies, and struck a blow against the Confederacy. She became the FIRST woman in U.S. history to plan and execute an armed expedition, inspiring joy and freedom among over 800 enslaved people.

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Jun 3, 2023 at 2:32pmWeb
Show threadDr. D. Elisabeth GlasscoJun 3, 2023

Under Harriet Tubman, the Union set fire to houses, mills, and outbuildings and took the stores of commodity rice and cotton, as well as supplies of potatoes, corn, and livestock. The plantations were left smoking ruins. Initially hesitant, when the slaves saw General Tubman, over 750 of them, who had never been freed under the Emancipation Proclamation, erupted in joy and rushed to freedom.

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Show threadDr. D. Elisabeth GlasscoJun 3, 2023

The Raid on Combahee Ferry was depicted in the epilogue of the 2019 film, Harriet.

Clip of the scene:

https://youtu.be/rAa2_fTwcQI

Resources on the Raid at Combahee Ferry:

https://nmaahc.si.edu/explore/stories/combahee-ferry-raid

https://www.history.com/news/harriet-tubman-facts-daring-raid

https://www.blackpast.org/african-american-history/combahee-river-raid-june-2-https://www.history.com/news/harriet-tubman-combahee-ferry-raid-civil-war

https://www.southamptonhistory.org/amp/harriet-tubman-and-the-raid-at-combahee-ferry

https://explorebeaufortsc.com/beaufort-history-harriet-tubman-and-the-combahee-ferry-raid/

https://www.cia.gov/stories/story/honoring-pioneer-harriet-tubman/

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Harriet (2019) - The Combahee River Raid Scene (9/10) | Movieclips

YouTube
Show threadCharles J Gervasi ⚡🛡️🥥Jun 3, 2023
@Deglassco
That movie was amazing. I knew about some of it from history, but that movie brought it to life for me.
@[email protected] @BlackMastodon
Show threadDr. D. Elisabeth GlasscoJun 4, 2023
@cgervasi Yes it did. It only covers up to the civil war though. She had a second life of service just as impressive.
Show threadCavyherdJun 3, 2023

@Deglassco @[email protected] @BlackMastodon

Wow. TIL!

Show threadAviva GaryJun 3, 2023
@Deglassco @[email protected] @BlackMastodon Awesome
Show threadskryJun 3, 2023
@Deglassco @[email protected] @BlackMastodon Thank you for posting this. I looked it up and Harriet is streaming on Amazon Prime for under $4 rental, and on HBO Max, in the US anyway.
Show threadDr. D. Elisabeth GlasscoJun 4, 2023
@skry If one has no money, there are pretty good synopses on YouTube as well.
Show threadAnnietimeJun 4, 2023
@Deglassco @[email protected] @BlackMastodon I have chills. Thank you for these toots.
Show threadDr. D. Elisabeth GlasscoJun 4, 2023
@annietime thank you for reading. It’s a great story.
Show threadOtterBJun 4, 2023
@Deglassco @[email protected] @BlackMastodon Thank you for reminding me that this movie, which I had heard of but never saw, exists.
Show threadDr. D. Elisabeth GlasscoJun 4, 2023
@OtterB yes, it’s a good film. Only deals with her life up to the Civil War though.
Show threadBrian ClarkJun 4, 2023
@Deglassco @[email protected] @BlackMastodon thanks for sharing this! Can you recommend a good biography of Harriet Tubman that is accessible to a non-historian/non-academic?
Show threadDr. D. Elisabeth GlasscoJun 4, 2023

@deepthoughts10 @[email protected] @BlackMastodon

I own 4 books on Harriet Tubman. Most books written about Harriet Tubman are children’s book. Though true, Harriet Tubman‘a life was so dramatic (at least the first part) that it lends itself to mythologizing of super human feats like John Henry—-perfect for children’s stories.

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Show threadDr. D. Elisabeth GlasscoJun 4, 2023

But for adults, I would start with “Harriet Tubman: The Moses of Her People” by Sarah Bradford. It is a short book, but it is a book where Harriet herself participated in telling her story. It was written during her lifetime. It does not cover the latter part of her life though. But it gives an idea of the times Harriet lived in and how she thought of them.

@deepthoughts10 @[email protected] @BlackMastodon

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Show threadDr. D. Elisabeth GlasscoJun 4, 2023

Next, there are two contemporary adult biographies that are noteworthy: 1) “Bound for the Promised Land: Harriet Tubman, Portrait of an American Hero” by Kate Clifford Larson and 2) “Harriet Tubman: The Road to Freedom” by Catherine Clinton.

@deepthoughts10 @[email protected] @BlackMastodon

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Show threadDr. D. Elisabeth GlasscoJun 4, 2023

The Larson book is very well researched and detailed but may be a dry read for some people. It is more tell than show. The Clinton book is more dramatic—-like a story. Good research and writing. I like both but if I had to choose, I would choose the Larson book.

@deepthoughts10 @[email protected] @BlackMastodon

4/5

Show threadDr. D. Elisabeth GlasscoJun 4, 2023

The final book is excellent because there are a lot of myths surrounding Harriet and this book tries to separate myth from documented facts. It looks at how Harriet has been remembered—her public image-and how that stacks up against the evidence. It is called “Harriet Tubman: Myth, Memory and History” by Milton C. Sernett.

@deepthoughts10 @[email protected] @BlackMastodon

5/5

Show threadBrian ClarkJun 4, 2023
@Deglassco @[email protected] @BlackMastodon thank you!
Show threadThomasJun 5, 2023

@Deglassco @deepthoughts10 @[email protected] @BlackMastodon

Books like these should be a mustread at school!.Not only in the US but also here in Germany.

People like Harriet Tubman are a role model for courage, empathy and determination not only for young people!

IMO this is one of the best ways to fight racism and fascism!

For me she stands in a row with Mandelela, Schindler and even Ghandi!

Show threadDr. D. Elisabeth GlasscoJun 6, 2023
@coastgnu I agree.
Show threadSeanJun 4, 2023
@Deglassco @[email protected] @BlackMastodon why hasn’t there been a historical action movie about the Combahee River Raid? It seems like an obvious cinematic story and yet it is often just tacked on in epilogues. Also Captain Robert Smalls who started out as a slave but commandeered a CSA naval ship and repeatedly went back and forth between the Union blockade and behind enemy lines, as if that wouldn’t be more entertaining of movie than Captain Phillips
Show threadDr. D. Elisabeth GlasscoJun 5, 2023
@Sean I agree! Hollywood is slow to catch up. They probably thinner Harriet and Will Smith in Emancipation and a few years ago Twelve Years a Slave is “enough of the slave stuff.” Also, I think there’s a film being made of Robert Smalls.
Show threadSeanJun 5, 2023

@Deglassco when that Robert Smalls bio pic comes out, I'll certainly go see it

IMDb: : Steal Away
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt14873150/

https://explorebeaufortsc.com/hollywood-movie-finally-being-made-about-robert-smalls/

Steal Away - IMDb

IMDb is the world's most popular and authoritative source for movie, TV and celebrity content. Find ratings and reviews for the newest movie and TV shows. Get personalized recommendations, and learn where to watch across hundreds of streaming providers.

IMDb
Show threadDr. D. Elisabeth GlasscoJun 5, 2023
@Sean Me too!
Show threadOf Bookish ThingsJun 4, 2023

@Deglassco @[email protected] @BlackMastodon
#LostGravestones of freedom-seekers unearthed in St. Catharines cemetery

Keeping alive the stories of people who fled slavery in the U.S. is about more than just #PreservingHistory

The #VictoriaLawnCemetery in #StCatharinesOntario is a sprawling graveyard established in #1856 that holds the remains of nearly 80,000 people.
The recently discovered gravestone belongs to #MaryHutchinson, who was enslaved in #Maryland before eventually escaping to #Canada with her husband William. Once settled in St. Catharines, they worked with #HarrietTubman – the famous abolitionist who was a key figure in the #UndergroundRailroad – as part of Tubman's #FugitiveAidSocietyOfStCatharines. #CanadianHistory includes #BlackHistory. #CanadianBlackHistory

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/hamilton/salem-chapel-underground-railroad-cemetery-project-1.6859012

Underground Railroad Cemetery project unearths lost gravestones of freedom-seekers | CBC News

Keeping alive the stories of people who fled slavery in the U.S. is more than just preserving history — for some, it’s deeply personal.

CBC
Show threadOf Bookish ThingsJun 4, 2023

@Deglassco @[email protected] @BlackMastodon

St. Catharines History

Why these historians are restoring the graves of former slaves

As part of the #SalemChapelUndergroundRailroadCemeteryProject, #RochelleBush and #AdamMontgomery are shedding new light on St. Catharines’ past
The historians, Rochelle Bush and Adam Montgomery, found the grave of #AmandaStewartGalesTaylor — the niece of abolitionist #HarrietTubman.
https://www.tvo.org/article/why-these-historians-are-restoring-the-graves-of-former-slaves

TVO Today | Current Affairs Journalism, Documentaries and Podcasts

Show threadDr. D. Elisabeth GlasscoJun 5, 2023
@JPK_elmediat Thank you so much for sharing this information.
Show threadFrank CoteJun 4, 2023
@Deglassco @[email protected] @BlackMastodon Wow! That was great!
Show threadFrank CoteJun 4, 2023
@Deglassco @[email protected] @BlackMastodon I've heard her name for years, never knew that.
It's amazing the stuff I don't know.
Show threadDr. D. Elisabeth GlasscoJun 5, 2023
@Frankc1450 you are not the only one. There are lots of us who don’t know this history. It is not taught in schools the way it should be.
Show threadNathan SalwenJun 3, 2023
@Deglassco @[email protected] @BlackMastodon
https://nmaahc.si.edu/explore/stories/combahee-ferry-raidhttps://nmaahc.si.edu/explore/stories/combahee-ferry-raid
Show threadDr. D. Elisabeth GlasscoJun 4, 2023
@NSalwen Sadly, the link is dead. Can you re-post it?
Show threadBronMason For Kamala 2024Jun 3, 2023

@Deglassco @[email protected] @BlackMastodon

Thanks for this about a towering figure in American history. Tubman was breathtaking in her courage—imagine achieving your freedom and then taking the risk of going back to liberate others!

I learned so much about Tubman from the movie “Harriet” & have watched all or some of it many times.

Show threadDr. D. Elisabeth GlasscoJun 4, 2023
@bronakins Yes, it was a great movie.
Show threadWill Jun 3, 2023
@Deglassco @[email protected] @BlackMastodon Formidable.
Show threadDr. D. Elisabeth GlasscoJun 4, 2023
@WilliamRobert Indeed.
Show threadEineKleineJun 3, 2023
@Deglassco @BlackMastodon @[email protected] Why didn’t I know this?
Show threadDr. D. Elisabeth GlasscoJun 4, 2023
@EineKleine Sadly, a lot of us don’t know it.
Show threadRant_ifa 🖤❤️ hope Rant_ifaJun 3, 2023
@Deglassco @[email protected] @BlackMastodon 🖤❤️
Show thread66gardenersJun 3, 2023
@Deglassco
The #HarrietTubman memorial is about 2 hours away and is a beautiful place.
Show threadDr. D. Elisabeth GlasscoJun 4, 2023
@66gardeners It is and well deserved.
Show threadJR Buckley 🏳️‍🌈⚛️Jun 3, 2023
@Deglassco @[email protected] @BlackMastodon
Growing up in Maryland, she was always a star of Black history.
Show threadDr. D. Elisabeth GlasscoJun 4, 2023
@JRBuckley And deservedly. Pretty hard to compete with Frederick Douglass but she does. They both respected each other greatly.
Show threadKevin LeecasterJun 4, 2023

@Deglassco @JRBuckley
Redesigning cash is far different than minting coins, and Americans are likely still years away from seeing the famous abolitionist on $20 bills.

In fact, it will most likely be 2030 before a Tubman bill enters circulation. https://youtu.be/sbvUGEgPLqI

Biden administration moves to put Harriet Tubman on $20 bill

YouTube
Show threadKevin RussellJun 3, 2023

@Deglassco @[email protected] @BlackMastodon

And still "inspiring joy" today, I am grinning like a fool, this is a new story of Harriet Tubman's for me.

Show threadDr. D. Elisabeth GlasscoJun 4, 2023
@kevinrns She was an extraordinary human being.
Show threadHammer ArmadaJun 3, 2023
@Deglassco @[email protected] @BlackMastodon
Show threadDr. D. Elisabeth GlasscoJun 4, 2023
@delphammer lol
Show threadBritish Tech GuruJun 3, 2023
@Deglassco @[email protected] @BlackMastodon I'd heard the name before and that's about it. Interesting snippet of history.
Show threadWade WainioJun 3, 2023
@Deglassco @[email protected] @BlackMastodon #HarrietTubman
Show threadMary Ann HornJun 3, 2023
@Deglassco @[email protected] @BlackMastodon incredible
Show threadPatrick GillamJun 3, 2023
@Deglassco @[email protected] @BlackMastodon
I’d like Quentin Tarantino to make one of his revisionist movies wherein Harriet Tubman teams with Robert Smalls to kick shit out of Nathan Bedford Forrest.
Show threadDr. D. Elisabeth GlasscoJun 4, 2023
@patrickgillam lol…they would too.
Show threadHellserchJun 3, 2023
@Deglassco Thank you for an important reminder of this black woman's greatness. I’m so happy that I joined Mastodon.
Show threadDr. D. Elisabeth GlasscoJun 4, 2023
@hellserch Thank you for reading.
Show threadChip UnicornJun 3, 2023

@Deglassco
@[email protected] @BlackMastodon

Harriet Tubman could do *everything*. She was one of the best nurses on the Union side, getting a general to write the introduction to her autobiography.

Show threadDr. D. Elisabeth GlasscoJun 4, 2023
@Chip_Unicorn She was an extraordinary woman. That’s for sure.