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Harriet Tubman Posthumously Recognized with General Rank on Veteran’s Day

Harriet Tubman Posthumously Recognized with General Rank on Veteran’s Day


**Harriet Tubman Posthumously Appointed Brigadier General in Maryland’s National Guard: A Long-Delayed Acknowledgment**

In a momentous decision, Harriet Tubman, the iconic abolitionist who broke free from slavery and aided countless enslaved individuals in their quest for freedom, was posthumously designated as a one-star brigadier general in the Maryland National Guard on Veterans Day. Renowned for her bravery and her significant contributions to the Underground Railroad, Tubman is now also honored for her military endeavors during the Civil War. This recognition serves as a long-overdue tribute for this extraordinary woman, who was not only a conductor on the Underground Railroad but also a spy, scout, and military leader for the Union Army.

### Tubman’s Trailblazing Contribution to American History

Harriet Tubman’s legacy is extensive and closely linked to some of the pivotal moments in U.S. history—most notably, the Underground Railroad. Born into slavery in Maryland circa 1822, Tubman escaped bondage in 1849. Instead of enjoying her newfound freedom, she continually endangered herself by returning to the South to rescue others, driven by an unwavering sense of justice. Through her efforts on the Underground Railroad, she led many to liberation, earning her the title “Moses.”

However, her significant role in the Union Army during the Civil War is less well-known. Tubman was not merely a liberator but also actively engaged in military tactics; she became the first woman to lead American military operations.

### The Raid on Combahee Ferry: A Pivotal Event

One of Tubman’s most renowned military accomplishments was her participation in the **Raid on Combahee Ferry** on June 2, 1863. This operation, occurring in South Carolina, represents the first instance in American history where a woman—particularly a formerly enslaved woman—commanded a military raid. Tubman collaborated with Colonel James Montgomery and 150 Black Union soldiers on an audacious mission that targeted several plantations along the Combahee River.

Utilizing her intimate knowledge of the area and her connections within the local network of informants, Tubman played an invaluable role in assisting the Union Army in navigating hostile territory. She and her troops liberated around 750 enslaved individuals, many of whom subsequently enlisted in the Union Army, enhancing its ranks. Tubman’s actions not only delivered a blow to the Confederacy but also earned her commendation and respect within military circles—though it would take over a century for her contributions to be formally recognized.

### A Prolonged Path to Official Military Acknowledgment

While Harriet Tubman received acknowledgment for her efforts following the raid, her formal recognition in military ranks was excessively postponed due to the biases of her era. Tubman—like numerous women and African Americans—encountered considerable institutional prejudice that hindered her official recognition as a military leader during her lifetime.

It wasn’t until this Veterans Day event that Tubman’s contributions were acknowledged with a military designation reflective of her valor. At Maryland’s **Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad State Park**, Governor Wes Moore, Maryland’s first Black governor and a U.S. Army veteran, oversaw the ceremony in which Tubman was named a one-star brigadier general in the Maryland National Guard. This honor brings Tubman’s historic journey full circle—recognizing not only her efforts as an abolitionist but also her role as a military strategist and operative.

“**With every act of bravery, Harriet Tubman helped unite us as a nation and a people,**” Governor Moore stated during his speech. “**She advocated for a unity that is achieved through peril, sacrifice, and risk. And it is a unity from which we continue to benefit to this day.**”

The ceremony featured numerous tributes to Tubman’s legacy. Her great-great-great-grandniece, **Tina Martin Wyatt**, attended to accept the posthumous commission on behalf of the family. Wyatt conveyed profound emotion during the event, highlighting the selflessness that characterized her “Aunt Harriet,” as Tubman sacrificed her own freedom and safety for the sake of others.

The event was enriched with ceremonial performances, including music by Maryland’s Army National Guard’s **229th Army Band**, and a **flyover** by the Maryland Air National Guard’s 104th Fighter Squadron, adding military prestige to the unforgettable occasion.

### Tubman’s Legacy: Beyond Veterans Day

Tubman’s posthumous advancement casts new light on her legacy. While many associate Tubman with her moral courage in combating slavery, this moment prompts a reevaluation of her broader impact as a vital contributor to the shaping of American history through military engagement. Tubman was not merely a conductor of the Underground Railroad; she was a military strategist, a Union Army officer, and an emblem of radical resilience and humanity.