Robert Smalls' Bold Escape from Charleston Harbor

Robert Smalls, an enslaved man, planned a daring escape from Charleston Harbor by taking control of the Confederate ship, the Planter. With the officers ashore, Smalls convinced his fellow enslaved crew and their families to join him. Disguised as the captain, Smalls navigated the ship past several Confederate forts, using his knowledge of the harbor and the captain's routines. Despite a tense moment at Fort Sumter, they successfully passed through and moved towards freedom.

What knowledge did Robert Smalls use to navigate the ship past the Confederate Fort checkpoints?

What was the significance of Fort Sumter in Robert Smalls' escape?