Journey Through Time 53. Harriet Tubman: The Woman Who Led An Army (Ep 4)
Dec 4, 2025
Discover how Harriet Tubman led over 750 enslaved people to freedom during the daring Combahee River Raid. Explore her dual roles as a Union scout and spy, navigating challenges while gathering vital intelligence. Delve into her post-war struggles for financial stability and activism for women's suffrage. Reflect on her complex legacy, from fighting for a military pension to dreaming of a home for destitute Black veterans. Tubman's life uncovers the enduring fight for freedom and her significant impact on today's political landscape.
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From Conductor To Military Scout
- Harriet Tubman transferred Underground Railroad skills into wartime intelligence and nursing roles with the Union Army.
- Her decade of clandestine guiding made her uniquely valuable in scouting, medical care, and organizing contraband camps.
The Combahee River Raid
- On June 2, 1863, Tubman guided three Union gunboats up the Combahee River to free enslaved people and destroy plantations.
- The raid freed over 750 people and she became the first woman to help lead an armed US military expedition.
Exploiting Confederate Weaknesses
- Tubman's intelligence work included mapping river mines and safe routes by interrogating enslaved people forced to maintain Confederate defenses.
- That insider knowledge allowed Union vessels to navigate deadly waterways during raids.
