1863 – Harriet Tubman Leads Combahee River Raid

On June 2, 1863, Harriet Tubman became the first woman in U.S. history to lead a military raid when she guided Union troops in the Combahee River Raid in South Carolina. Partnering with Colonel James Montgomery and the 2nd South Carolina Colored Infantry, Tubman helped liberate over 700 enslaved people by navigating river waters filled with Confederate torpedoes. Her intelligence work and deep knowledge of Southern terrain proved invaluable. Tubman had previously served as a nurse and spy for the Union, but this mission marked her direct combat leadership. The raid also struck a critical blow to Southern infrastructure, torching plantations and securing supplies. Despite her contribution, Tubman received no formal recognition or pension for her service. This event highlights her overlooked yet pivotal military role during the Civil War, expanding her legacy far beyond the Underground Railroad.