An up to date repost in honor of Black Historical past Month.
William Tillman was one of many first black heroes of the American Civil Struggle. He was not a soldier however slightly a 27-year-old cook-steward on the schooner S.J. Waring. On July 7, 1861, the schooner was captured by the Accomplice privateer Jefferson Davis whereas about 150 miles from Sandy Hook, New York. Captain Smith, the grasp of the S.J. Waring was taken aboard the Jefferson Davis, and a five-man prize crew was put aboard the schooner, with orders to sail her to a Southern port the place the ship and her cargo could be bought.
William Tillman was a free black man, however as a captive of the Confederacy, he was knowledgeable that he could be bought again into slavery. Although at the least one different member of the schooner’s unique crew was held beneath in chains, as cook-steward, Tillman was left to go about his common duties. The prize crew made a deadly mistake in underestimating the cook-steward. On July sixteenth, William Tillman determined to take again the ship.
In 1867, William Wells Brown, an African-American author and historian described Tillman’s one-man rebellion in The Negro within the American Insurrection :
Armed with a heavy membership, he proceeds to the captain’s room. He strikes the deadly blow: he feels the heartbeat, and all continues to be. He subsequent goes to the adjoining room: one other blow is struck, and the black man is grasp of the cabin. Cautiously he ascends to the deck, strikes the mate: the officer is wounded however not killed. He attracts his revolver, and requires assist. The crew are aroused: they’re hastening to assist their commander. The negro repeats his blows with the heavy membership: the insurgent falls useless at Tillman’s ft. The African seizes the revolver, drives the crew beneath deck, orders the discharge of the Yankee, places the enemy in irons, and proclaims himself grasp of the vessel.
The Waring’s head is turned in the direction of New York, with the celebrities and stripes flying, a good wind, and he or she quickly retraces her steps. A storm comes up: extra males are wanted to work the ship. Tillman orders the rebels to be unchained, and introduced on deck. The command is obeyed; and they’re put to work, however knowledgeable, that, in the event that they present any disobedience, they are going to be shot down. 5 days extra, and “The S.J. Waring” arrives within the port of New York, beneath command of William Tillman, the negro patriot.
Tillman’s arrival in New York in control of the S.J. Waring coincided with the Union loss on the Battle of Bull Run. His heroism in retaking the ship was seen in some measure to counterbalance information of the Union defeat. The New-York Tribune wrote:
To this coloured man was the nation indebted for the primary vindication of its honor on the ocean. One other public journal spoke of that achievement alone as an offset to the defeat of the Federal arms at Bull Run. Unstinted reward from all events, even those that are often awkward in some other vernacular than derision of the coloured man, has been awarded to this coloured man. At Barnum’s Museum he was the middle of engaging gaze to every day growing hundreds. All loyal journals joined in reward of the heroic act; and, even when the information reached England, the negro’s bravery was applauded.
Tillman and the three different crew members of the S.J. Waring had been awarded prize cash for the schooner’s recapture and return. Tillman’s share was $6,000 (roughly $140,000 in at this time’s {dollars}.) As famous by the Tribune, Tillman was employed by P.T. Barnum’s New York museum to inform audiences the story of how he killed three of the “pirates” in lower than eight minutes. He additionally turned a featured public speaker in Philadelphia and Boston.
Tillman is believed to have moved to Rhode Island and is listed within the 1870 Census as dwelling and dealing as a seaman in Warwick.
The privateer Jefferson Davis had a brief and combined profession, capturing 9 service provider crusing vessels. Three of those had been recaptured, three had been launched, one was burned and two, in a position to attain port within the Confederacy, had been auctioned. Lower than a month after William Tillman arrived again in New York in control of the S.J. Waring, the Jefferson Davis went aground and was misplaced whereas trying to enter the harbor at Saint Augustine, Florida,.
A documentary, “Seek for the Jefferson Davis: Dealer, Slaver, Raider,” tells the story of the hunt for the wreck of the privateer. A trailer of the documentary is beneath.
Because of Irwin Bryan for passing the story alongside.
