rules of warfare

[gary]

I recall the Virginia forcing one union ship to strike her colors and raise the white flag. When Buchannan closed into claim his prize, the Army ashore opened fire on him, their commanding General stating that while the Navy had surrendered the ship, the Army hadn't.

Could Buchannan have legally fired upon the ship even though it was under the white flag? Per se he couldn't capture it because of the army, but on the other hand it was under the white flag and would allow itself to be boarded and captured.

[johan_steele]

The Navy had surrendered; they were out of the picture. It would have beenthe Virgina's responsability to claim her prize.

[gary]

Could Buchannan legally destroy his prize even if it was flying a white flag?

[johan_steele]

I'm no sure some might see it as firing on a vessal under a flag of truce. Others might say that it was the Navy's responsability to abandon the vessal theyt knew was about to be sunk. Interesting question.