c. March 1822 – March 10, 1913
“I was the conductor of the Underground Railroad for eight years, and I can say what most conductors can’t say — I never ran my train off the track, and I never lost a passenger,” Tubman said at a women’s suffrage convention in 1896.
Brigadier General Harriet Tubman (1822-1913), Maryland National Guard, was the first woman in American history to lead a military assault. Known globally as the legendary conductor of the Underground Railroad, Tubman also holds a remarkable legacy as a veteran whose service during the Civil War broke barriers and redefined what it meant to lead.
Born into slavery in 1822 in Dorchester County, Maryland, Tubman displayed extraordinary bravery from an early age. After surviving a brutal head injury at 13 while protecting an enslaved man seeking freedom, she escaped slavery herself in 1849. Yet, Tubman’s own liberty was not enough. Over the next decade, she returned to Maryland multiple times, leading about 70 enslaved individuals to freedom and empowering another 70 to seek liberty on their own.
When the Civil War erupted, Tubman volunteered for the Union Army as a nurse and cook. Her role soon evolved, and she became a scout and spy, using her intelligence network to undermine the Confederacy. Tubman’s most notable military achievement occurred on June 1, 1863, during the Raid on Combahee Ferry. As the first woman to lead a military operation during wartime, she worked alongside Colonel James Montgomery to free over 700 enslaved men, women, and children from plantations along the Combahee River.
Despite her pivotal contributions, Tubman struggled to secure proper recognition and compensation for her service. In 1898, she filed for a pension describing her work commanding scouts and supporting Union hospitals. Initially, she received only a modest pension as the widow of Union veteran Nelson Davis. However, in 1899, Congress enacted legislation increasing her pension to $20 per month in acknowledgment of her work as a nurse.
Brigadier General Harriet Tubman’s military achievements and her tireless fight for justice continue to inspire. “Harriet Tubman’s military service was defined by her bravery, wit, and dedication to doing what is right, and it truly stands as an example for all veterans to emulate,” said Major General Janeen L. Birckhead, head of the Maryland National Guard.
In 2024, the Maryland National Guard posthumously honored Tubman with a brigadier general rank, cementing her place not only as a national hero but as an exemplary leader in military history. Brigadier General Harriet Tubman’s legacy stands as a powerful reminder that the fight for freedom and equality demands bravery, decisive action, and an unwavering commitment to justice.
References:
Harriet Tubman made a general in Veterans Day ceremony | PBS News
USA TODAY – Breaking News and Latest News Today
Life Story: Harriet Tubman – Women & the American Story
Abolitionist Harriet Tubman posthumously awarded rank of general
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