To mark Veterans Day, the Maryland National Guard honored Harriet Tubman with her posthumous commissioning as a one-star general.
Tubman was awarded the rank of brigadier general in recognition for her service during the Civil War. The abolitionist was a spy for the Union Army and the first woman to lead a military operation when she guided the Combahee Ferry Raid in 1863.
Maj. Gen. Janeen Birckhead, adjutant general of the Maryland National Guard, told the audience at a ceremony Monday that Tubman knew she would have the Union Army as an ally when the Civil War began. She aided the Union cause, Birckhead continued, with her connections, mental stamina, observational skills and strength.
“Each daring Army mission behind enemy territory was worthy of a medal,” Birckhead said. “She commanded soldiers on raids, found targets (and) reported troop movements. She returned from raids and scouting with mission accomplished — with groups of newly freed Americans. Harriet Tubman’s leadership advanced Union Army aims while extending the promise and the reality of freedom to hundreds of people.”
Birckhead addressed why Tubman was commissioned as a brigadier general and not another rank, such as captain or sergeant major. While Tubman possesses the traits required for those ranks, Birckhead explained that she also held the “unique traits and responsibilities” of a brigadier general, namely being a “skillful and strategic thinker.”
The commission was possible because of legislation signed by Maryland Gov. Wes Moore. The bill allowed the governor to posthumously award an appointment, commission or rank to an individual. Tubman, who was born into slavery in Maryland over 200 years ago, was selected for the honor.
The ceremony was held at the Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad State Park and Visitor Center in Dorchester County. Several Tubman descendants attended the event, as well as Dr. Ednita Wright, president of the Harriet Tubman Boosters in Auburn. She told The Citizen she and Melinda Pressley helped with documentation for the honor.
Moore lauded Tubman’s courage and willingness to lead. He noted the honor for Tubman acknowledges what has been long known that — she “deserved a star on her shoulder the whole time.”
“Today we celebrate the American Moses. Today we celebrate our modern prophet,” Moore said. “Today we celebrate a soldier and a person who earned the title of veteran. Today we celebrate one of the greatest authors of the American story, Maryland’s own, General Harriet Tubman.”
Tubman settled in Auburn with the help of the Seward family. Her residence and the Home for the Aged, which she established, are part of the Harriet Tubman National Historical Park on South Street.
The Thompson Memorial A.M.E. Zion Church, where Tubman’s funeral was held in 1913, opened to visitors this year.
Tubman’s gravesite is in Auburn’s Fort Hill Cemetery.
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