Harriet Tubman

Harriet Tubman was an incredibly brave and kindhearted lady who was the savior of many slaves in the American Revolutionary War. She made differences and effected change and that is one thing I will describe with more detail to you. However, things didn’t go perfectly and she had struggles on the way, and I will tell you about them. Finally, I am going to take a trip into Harriet’s shoes and imagine what it was like to be her. Keep on reading and understand Harriet Tubman’s greatness.

Harriet Tubman was one lady who made a huge difference. Without her, slaves may be here at present day. I will tell you about what she did and how. She took on a very dangerous job of being a railroad "conductor" in a secret underground railroad to lead slaves to safety. It crossed Maryland and went all the to Pennsylvania. The Quakers and Abolitionists were there so that the slaves were safe (Quakers and Abolitionists are against slavery). She risked her life multiple times and even for her sister Mary. She could easily be caught and killed by the Confederates but proceeded on to helping slaves. She made a difference and if she hadn't helped out, the Union may have had to surrender. Also, Harriet even helped as a commander in war! She was the first woman to lead a military expedition. She wanted freedom for everyone. She did risky spy work and help Colonel James Montgomery plan and complete a raid of slaves from some plantations. On June 1, 1863, Harriet set out with her 3 gunboats. Many men were with her. She knew that there were torpedoes in the Combahee river, which is where they were sailing to, so she could avoid them. The Union burned down buildings and bridges were blown up, so the Confederates couldn't escape or hide. She saved 750 slaves and didn't even lose a single soldier. What else? She was a lifesaver as a nurse for many wounded or ill soldiers from the Union. I can name so many things! Harriet really is a great lady, leader and helping hand.

Harriet Tubman was very famous and she accomplished some really incredible things. However, it wasn’t her life and experiences went along without a single bump in the road. Harriet had many challenges and struggles in her life. Obstacles were always there. One them was slavery. Not only did she despise slavery, but she had been a slave herself. That was definitely a difficult time for Harriet. As a slave, she had to endure many tragedies. For example, as a child she had been sold away from her family. Also, her first husband died, without her being able to do anything about it. She was treated quite harshly when she was a slave. This though, really helped her get angry at the confederates. Another challenge or bump in the road was that she had a very dangerous job of being a conductor in an underground railroad who helped slaves escape. She had to be really brave and careful so that no one caught her and the slaves. Her life and other lives were at risk. They could be caught, tortured and killed. She had a big heart to risk her life multiple times though, to save others. Finally, the more she helped the Union and the slaves, the more the Southerners disliked her and tried to capture her. The reward for her gradually became as high as $40,000! Considering that it is already a high amount, back then, that was like a super duper large amount of money! That goes to show how badly they confederates wanted her. Her life was endangered. She had to hide and disguise herself very often. Harriet Tubman was a Union hero, but it was definitely a hard task with many bumps in the road.

By now I think that you know about Harriet Tubman’s greatness. She was a hero for many slaves. But just wonder. What would it be like if you put yourself in Harriet’s shoe? What would Harriet Tubman be feeling when, for example, she was leading the soldiers to the attack? This is what I empathize about about her. Firstly, she once a slave, which we can assume that know one wants to be. She had to work really hard. Being a slave must have also ruined some of her life, and she was sad and angry about that. She was treated meanly and rudely in her childhood and was even sold. she had been hurt and had to make difficult decisions about what to do for others and maybe herself. She was mad and really wanted this to stop. When slavery ended, it must have been the happiest day for Harriet Tubman. I can’t imagine being a slave! Secondly, when she was working in the underground railroad to help slaves get to freedom, she must have been really nervous. As I said before, so many counting on her, when they could be tortured and killed. I wouldn’t want to be a slave, nor would I be brave enough to do something so risky. Go on a journey to free the slaves like that. Decisions again. She had to make many decisions about what she would do, where to go, and how to do this. Most importantly, she made the tough decision to actually do this. Risk her life.  Thirdly, wait, don’t you see? We could go on and on about every square inch of her life! She was brave, scared and had to make many decisions and most resulted in which was the kindest thing. Harriet Tubman was an incredible lady, and I do not think that I could be in her shoes.

Now do you understand how brave, kindhearted and what a life saver she was? She saved thousands of slaves’ lives in the dangerous revolutionary war as a Union, stood up for many slaves as a young girl and overall is a great lady who made a big difference. She had struggles like every other person, but overcame them. I know that I can’t do anything as brave as her. I hope that you now know all about Harriet Tubman and her life.