Myth: Harriet Tubman rescued 300 people in 19 trips. Fact: According to Tubman's own words, and extensive documentation on her rescue missions, we know that she rescued about 70 people—family and friends—during approximately 13 trips to Maryland.

While popular legends often cite much higher numbers, modern historical research and Harriet Tubman's own recorded accounts indicate that she personally led approximately 70 enslaved people to freedom over the course of about 13 missions to Maryland. These individuals were primarily her own family members and close friends. However, Tubman’s impact was far broader; she provided detailed instructions and navigational "maps" to another 70 to 80 freedom seekers who successfully made their way north on their own based on her guidance. Furthermore, during the Civil War, Tubman led the Combahee River Raid in 1863, a military operation that resulted in the liberation of over 700 enslaved people in South Carolina. Therefore, while her "Underground Railroad" direct rescues numbered in the dozens, her total contribution to the cause of liberation exceeds 800 individuals. In 2026, historians emphasize that the quality of her work—never losing a "passenger" on the Underground Railroad—is as significant as the raw numbers, cementing her legacy as one of the most effective and courageous leaders in American history.