The Steamer Planter

On December 1, 1863, as the Planter, then under command of Captain Nikerson, sailed through Folly Island creek. Confederate batteries opened fire on her. Nickerson became demoralized and left the pilot-house and secured himself in the coal bunker. Smalls who was on the deck, find out the captain had deserted his post, took command. He got the vessel safely out of reach of the guns. For this, General Gilmore promoted Smalls to captain of the Planter. The vessel became a supply boat along the coast until the end of the war. It was captured by Colonel Smalls on May 18th under the guns of Forts Sumter and Moultrie, off Charleston, S.C.