From staff reports
“Harriet Tubman — From the Railroad to a Spy” is now available for online viewing, and South Carolina ETV and Public Radio (SCETV) will distribute the program to public television stations across the U.S. in March, bringing Tubman’s extraordinary story to viewers nationwide.
Beaufort resident Harriet Tubman is widely known for her courageous work on the Underground Railroad, but her role as a Union Army scout and spy during the Civil War remains one of the most overlooked chapters of her remarkable life. “Harriet Tubman — From the Railroad to a Spy” sheds light on her daring missions, including the 1863 Combahee River Raid in South Carolina, which freed more than 750 enslaved people in the largest single emancipation event of the war.
“Harriet Tubman’s courage and resilience continue to inspire generations. This documentary provides a deeper understanding of her extraordinary contributions beyond the Underground Railroad. We are honored to share her story with audiences nationwide, ” SCETV President and CEO Adrienne Fairwell said in a media release.
The one-hour documentary takes viewers beyond Tubman’s well-documented legacy, exploring her time in Beaufort County, where she worked alongside Union forces in intelligence-gathering and military operations. The film recounts her collaboration with Colonel James Montgomery and the 2nd South Carolina Infantry, showcasing the strategic prowess that made her an invaluable asset to the Union cause. Montgomery himself once described Tubman as “a most remarkable woman and invaluable as a scout.”
“Many people know Harriet Tubman as the leader of the Underground Railroad, but her efforts as a military strategist and scout are just as compelling,” SCETV Director of National Content and Regional Operations Don Godish said in a media relese. “This film shines a light on her lesser-known achievements and her crucial role in the Civil War.”
As 2022 marked the 200th anniversary of Tubman’s birth, this documentary serves as a tribute to her profound impact as a freedom fighter, military leader and advocate for human rights. From her early years escaping slavery to her instrumental role in liberating others, “Harriet Tubman — From the Railroad to a Spy” presents a comprehensive look at a true American hero. The documentary is a production of Sankofa Communications and Lowcountry Gullah.
In addition to airing locally, “Harriet Tubman — From the Railroad to a Spy” will be distributed to public television stations across the country through the National Educational Telecommunications Association (NETA). Viewers outside South Carolina should check their local listings for air times on their local public television station beginning in March. The documentary will also be available for streaming in the PBS app and on scetv.org.
For more information about “Harriet Tubman — From the Railroad to a Spy,” visit scetv.org.
