Every year, Americans observe Veterans Day on November 11 to honor the men and women who have served in the United States Armed Forces. While many associate the holiday with modern military history, few realize that figures from earlier periods, such as Harriet Tubman, also played critical roles in shaping the legacy of American military service. Harriet Tubman, widely known for her work with the Underground Railroad, was also a courageous and pioneering veteran of the Civil War. Her service, often overlooked in mainstream narratives, highlights the deep and often hidden history of African American contributions to the U.S. military. Recognizing her achievements on Veterans Day offers a broader and more inclusive understanding of what it means to be a veteran in America.
Harriet Tubman: More Than an Abolitionist
Harriet Tubman is best known for leading enslaved people to freedom through the Underground Railroad, a secret network of safe houses and routes across the United States. Born into slavery around 1822 in Maryland, she escaped and then returned multiple times to guide others to freedom. However, her bravery and commitment to justice extended far beyond the railroad. During the American Civil War, Tubman worked directly with the Union Army, providing a range of essential services that firmly place her in the ranks of military veterans.
Military Service During the Civil War
When the Civil War broke out in 1861, Harriet Tubman saw an opportunity to fight against slavery on a national scale. She volunteered to serve the Union Army in South Carolina, where she took on various roles that included nurse, cook, scout, and spy. Few women and even fewer African American women served the military in such a multifaceted capacity during this time.
As a nurse, Tubman treated wounded soldiers and helped care for formerly enslaved people who had fled to Union camps. Her herbal knowledge, passed down through generations, proved invaluable in treating disease and infection. As a scout and spy, she used her knowledge of Southern terrain and secretive travel to gather intelligence for Union commanders. She often worked behind enemy lines, risking capture and death to provide critical information that aided Union strategy.
The Combahee River Raid
One of Harriet Tubman’s most notable military achievements was her leadership in the Combahee River Raid in June 1863. Working with Colonel James Montgomery and a regiment of the United States Colored Troops, Tubman planned and executed a daring mission to disrupt Confederate supply lines and liberate enslaved people along the riverbanks in South Carolina.
The raid was a significant success. Tubman helped guide Union gunboats through mine-infested waters and led troops in burning plantations, destroying infrastructure, and freeing over 700 enslaved people. It was the first military operation in American history led by a woman, and it cemented her place as a true war hero.
- Strategic leadership: Tubman used her deep knowledge of terrain and local networks to lead the raid successfully.
- Liberation of slaves: Over 700 enslaved individuals were freed in a single night.
- Symbolic importance: The raid demonstrated the military capability of African American troops and leaders.
Recognition and Compensation
Despite her extraordinary service, Harriet Tubman struggled to receive the recognition and compensation due to her as a veteran. After the war, she applied for a military pension but faced bureaucratic delays and discrimination. While white soldiers and officers were granted pensions more easily, Tubman’s application was denied several times before she eventually received a modest widow’s pension based on her late husband’s service not her own.
It wasn’t until decades later that Congress acknowledged her direct contributions. Even today, her role as a military veteran is underrepresented in many discussions about American military history. Veterans Day offers an opportunity to remember not just those in uniform but also individuals like Tubman who served in unconventional but critical ways.
Why Veterans Day Should Honor Harriet Tubman
Veterans Day is about honoring those who risked their lives to serve and protect the United States. Harriet Tubman, through her service in the Civil War, fits that definition. She was more than an abolitionist; she was a freedom fighter, a strategist, and a combat leader who contributed directly to Union victories and the emancipation of thousands.
Including Harriet Tubman in the Veterans Day narrative helps correct the historical record and brings attention to the often-forgotten roles African American women have played in shaping the nation’s history. It also serves as a reminder that service to one’s country comes in many forms not all of them confined to the battlefield or traditional military roles.
Educational Importance
Teaching about Harriet Tubman on Veterans Day helps broaden the scope of military education in schools and public discourse. Her life bridges the gap between civil rights, military service, and national identity. By including her story, educators and communities can promote a more inclusive and accurate representation of who America’s veterans are.
- Highlights African American contributions to the military
- Expands understanding of women’s roles in wartime
- Encourages inclusive storytelling and commemoration
The Broader Legacy of Service
Harriet Tubman’s story also resonates with modern veterans, particularly those who feel their service is undervalued or invisible. Her perseverance in the face of systemic injustice reflects the struggles of many veterans who return home to face social, economic, or medical challenges. By honoring Tubman, Veterans Day can also become a platform for advocacy and reform.
Her life underscores that veterans’ contributions extend beyond military tactics. They embody values like courage, sacrifice, and justice ideals that Tubman upheld throughout her life. Whether through combat, intelligence, medical care, or leadership, her actions exemplify what it means to serve.
Connecting Past and Present
As we reflect on the meaning of Veterans Day, Harriet Tubman’s legacy urges us to expand our definition of heroism and service. Her bravery, both on and off the battlefield, challenges the traditional boundaries of what makes someone a veteran. She was not given medals or parades during her lifetime, but her impact is undeniable.
Today, as military service continues to evolve and diversify, her story serves as a powerful reminder that America’s strength lies in the courage and conviction of individuals from all walks of life. Harriet Tubman remains a symbol of determination, leadership, and enduring patriotic service worthy of remembrance every Veterans Day.
Veterans Day is a time to honor those who have fought and sacrificed for the nation. Harriet Tubman deserves a place in that remembrance. Her service during the Civil War, her leadership in freeing enslaved people, and her tireless fight for justice embody the values at the heart of military service. By including her legacy in Veterans Day commemorations, we enrich our national memory and pay tribute to the diversity of those who have shaped America’s history through service and sacrifice.