Raising the black flag

[Borderruffian]

Agree Ole. I believe it to be in line with the school yard threat. "I'm gonna kick your butt so bad........"

 

[ole]

And, "Yo momma...."

And, he asks, does this start to sound a bit adolescent?

ole

 

[Borderruffian]

So should we say. "My general can beat up your general." ????:laugh1:

 

[rivrrat]

Bobbie,

I knew of instances of 'no quarter' but this is the first I'd heard of a black flag used to advertise it.

This is an excerpt I pulled from George S. Burkhardt's book 'Confederate Rage, Yankee Wrath':

'It was not until the Confederates began murdering white Union soldiers fighting with blacks--as a response to the Northern hard-war policy begun in 1864--that the Federal government authorized a murder-for-murder response. This degenerated the conflict into a nearly total "black-flag" war'.

Emphasis is mine

Emphasis is mine

I not sure I can buy off on Burkhardt as being fully unbiased, but he does seem to make a small attempt.

Reading different account's of Fort Pillow, I'm shocked over the savage differences of opinion. I did finally find one that seemed balanced - though it did not talk of the prelude issues which had been occuring around Fort Pillow.

Oh, really?


General Order Number 2
St. Louis, Mo., March 13, 1862

1. Martial law has never been legally declared in Missouri except in the city of St. Louis, and on and in the immediate vicinity of the railroads and telegraph lines and even in these localities military officers are specially directed not to interfere with lawful process of any loyal civil court. It is believed that the time will soon come when the rebellion in Missouri may be considered as terminated, and when even the partial and temporary military restraint which has been exercised in particular places, may be entirely withdrawn. By none is this more desired than by the General commanding.

2. It must, however, be borne in mind that in all places subject to the incursions of the enemy, or to the depredations of insurgents and guerrilla bands, the military are authorized, without any formal declaration of martial law, to adopt such measures as may be necessary to restore the authority of the Government, and punish all violations of the laws of war. This power will be exercised only where the peace of the country and the success of the Union cause absolutely require it.

3. Evidence has been received at these Headquarters that Major General Sterling Price has issued commissions or licenses to certain bandits in this State authorizing them to raise "Guerrilla forces," for the purpose of plunder and marauding. Gen. Price ought to know that such a course is contrary to the rules of civilized warfare, and that every man that enlists in such an organization forfeits his life, and becomes an outlaw. All persons are hereby warned that, if they join any guerrilla band, they will not, if captured, be treated as ordinary prisoners of war, but will be hung as robbers and murderers. Their lives shall atone for the barbarity of their General.

By Command of Major General Halleck
N. H. McLean, Assistant Adjutant General

 

[Borderruffian]

And thus starts the "black flag" warfare in Missouri. With or without actual black flags.

No quarter given. No quarter expected.

 

[OldGreyWolf]

We had two Black Flag flying Partisan Ranger bands here in Mosby's Confederacy. Two other than the Grey Ghost his ownself.

John & Jesse McNeil learned thier trade in the early struggle in Missourah, but made quite a name for themselves here in the Valley.

HEADQUARTERS ARMY NORTHERN VIRGINIA,
February, 24, [1865.] ​

Hon. Jno. C. Breckinridge,
Secretary of War:
General Early reports that Lieutenant McNeill, with thirty men, on the morning of the 21st, entered Cumberland, captured and brought out Generals Crook and Kelly, the adjutant general of the department, two privates and the headquarters' flags, without firing a gun, though a considerable force is stationed in vicinity. Lieutenant McNeill and party deserve much credit for this bold exploit. Their prisoners will reach Staunton today.

R. E. LEE. ​

 

[Borderruffian]

Interesting to note that after the Partisian Ranger Act was repealed by the Confederate Congress and all Partisian Ranger Groups ordered to form up with CS forces. Only two formations were allowed to continue to act as partisians with the offical blessing of the CS.

Mosby's Rangers and McNeill's Rangers. Both at the request of Robert E. Lee. He cited the valuable role they played.

Guess they were a little more on the ball in Virginia then the Partisians in my neck of the woods.

 

[Battalion]

Bobbie,

I knew of instances of 'no quarter' but this is the first I'd heard of a black flag used to advertise it.

This is an excerpt I pulled from George S. Burkhardt's book 'Confederate Rage, Yankee Wrath':

'It was not until the Confederates began murdering white Union soldiers fighting with blacks--as a response to the Northern hard-war policy begun in 1864--that the Federal government authorized a murder-for-murder response. This degenerated the conflict into a nearly total "black-flag" war'.

I not sure I can buy off on Burkhardt as being fully unbiased, but he does seem to make a small attempt.

The phrase "take no prisoners" appears quite often in Federal reports from 1862 on...

What was Mr Burxhardt smoking?

 

[DHPatrick]

I believe I've learned quite a bit in this thread. I had no idea no quarter/Black flag was used to the extent mentioned here.

I wonder if it had basis for same or if it was more a form of psychological warfare.

 

[Borderruffian]

I'd say that with the exception of the Trans-miss, parts of east Tennessee and North Carolina and to some extent the Shenandoah Valley. It was more of a psychological warfare ploy.

 

[DHPatrick]

I'd say that with the exception of the Trans-miss, parts of east Tennessee and North Carolina and to some extent the Shenandoah Valley. It was more of a psychological warfare ploy.

Borderruffian,

I guess my thoughts were that most if not all would have been psychological. What do you think the basis of it was in your exceptions? ...or is there room for several different reasons?

 

[Borderruffian]

In all of those areas the threat of black flag warfare was not a threat at all. The warfare was no quarter for both sides.

In the Tran-Miss especially in Kansas and Missouri this was a carry over from the bleeding Kansas period of the 1850's and was the accepted form of warfare.

In east Tennessee the "Tories" were subjected to it by their seccesionist nieghbors and returned the favor in kind.

Pretty much the same in North Carolina with the Unionist Mountain Folk there. And the Lumbee Indians fighting conscription.

In these areas the tempo of the war was set by the combatants. They were not costrained by what was thought of at the time as "gentlemanly warfare." It was war to the knife, root hog or die fighting. I believe that it was a common belief in Missouri that if you didn't kill all the Redlegs/Jayhawkers/ Bushwhackers then they would do it to you.

In the Mountains of Tn and NC I believe it was much the same. Also remember alot of these folks were Scots/Irish and steeped in the tradition of blood fued. Not to offend anyone I myself have a fair amount of Scots Irish blood.

So I believe it became almost tit for tat and a gradual escalation on both sides easily done in units who are loosely disciplined and indifferently led.

In the Shenandoah in contrast it was more restrained until Sheridan placed the mark on Mosby's men and started with his scorched earth policy. Even then outside of some radical incidents like Custers hanging of some of Mosby's Rangers at Front Royal, it remained very constrained in comparison to the other areas. I believe this was due to to the leadership in both the CS and US Armies as well as the troops.

 

[DHPatrick]

In all of those areas the threat of black flag warfare was not a threat at all. The warfare was no quarter for both sides.

In the Tran-Miss especially in Kansas and Missouri this was a carry over from the bleeding Kansas period of the 1850's and was the accepted form of warfare.

In east Tennessee the "Tories" were subjected to it by their seccesionist nieghbors and returned the favor in kind.

Pretty much the same in North Carolina with the Unionist Mountain Folk there. And the Lumbee Indians fighting conscription.

Borderruffian,

Guess I was aware of those in Missouri and Kansas. It was 'Trans-Mississippi' that caught my attention. ...having said that, one of my ancestor's stories is about a relative that was lying wounded in a building, near Vicksburg. I'm told the building was burnt down around him. To be truthful, I had not considered that to be a real possibility. When asked, I've been known to say, I didn't believe same. Maybe I'm suffering a pang of guilt.

 

[DHPatrick]

In the Mountains of Tn and NC I believe it was much the same. Also remember alot of these folks were Scots/Irish and steeped in the tradition of blood fued. Not to offend anyone I myself have a fair amount of Scots Irish blood.

Borderruffian,

Didn't catch this until I had already responded. Which clan does your family line belong to?

 

[Borderruffian]

Fraser and Donald on my maternal grandfathers side.

As far as the Trans-Miss goes alot of that war even outside of Missouri and Kansas was also fueled by rivalries that were pre-war.

 

[DHPatrick]

Fraser and Donald on my maternal grandfathers side.

As far as the Trans-Miss goes alot of that war even outside of Missouri and Kansas was also fueled by rivalries that were pre-war.

Lamont and Gray on each of my sides.

 

[ltkepper]

I think the black flag was a good thing in some of the battle that were fight and i think it help the side out more by just flying it some time to just put a srare out there.
I know in my reenacting unit that i have the unit has used the black flag in some events become my unit will reenact to the last man to fall some times and i know the units that we go against some times so we are going to have fun with them.
paul kepper

 

[SCV "F" Troop]

The black flag was a well-known symbol of a ruthless combat, characterized by giving no quarter to the enemy.

Most cases of such policy that I've read about involoved USCT, either as victims, or as threatening to "take no prisoners" themselves. In some of these cases soldiers were reportedly shouting "no quarter", but I have not met with a description of a material black banner being flown by troops.

R. E. Bonner writes in his book that the black flag was usually not an actual piece of dark cloth, though there were scattered reports that the South's "fairest daughters" had, from time to time, brought out their black silk to prepare for a new stage of combat. (Colors And Blood: Flag Passions Of The Confederate South, Princeton University Press, 2002, p. 149).

My question is: was the material black flag ever used on a battlefield or was it always only a metaphore?

To Answer your question "YES",

Chicago Tribune
Sunday, February 16, 1862

The Fort Donelson Battle
Reports from Chicago
The Rebels Flying the Black Flag

A special to the Tribune says;

The firing commenced again at daybreak and continued at intervals all day long. Up to 4 o'clock no movement or assault by the land forces had been made.

Night before last an attempt was made by the rebels to take Taylor's battery of light artillery, but they were repulsed by two regiments and drive back beyond their intrenchments. Our loss in wounded is considerable, but no more than three or four are dangerously wounded.

Six gunboats arrived yesterday, and commenced an attack on the fort at 2 in the afternoon. The firing was very rapid and severe, and lasted one hour and twenty minutes, when our gunboats fell back. The four iron clad boats went within 300 yards of the fort. All the rebel river guns, except six, were either dismounted or silenced. The first shot fired from the gunboat Louisville dismounted the rebels 128-pounder. The Louisville received fifty-seven shots, two of which took effect, one striking the starboard side of her deck and passing through the entire length of the boat, killing three men and breaking her tiller rope a short distance from the pilot house. The rope was then managed by some of the hands, when a shell from the Tyler, which lay some distance astern, burst over the Louisville, scattering the men at the tiller-rope, and so much disabled her steering-tackle that the boat was compelled to drop astern.

A shot struck the Pittsburgh in the bows and stove an immense hole in her, which caused her to drop outof the action. Theleak, however, has been stopped.

A shot struck the pilot-house of the St. Louis, passing through it between the pilot's legs without,injuring him.

A;; the boats were more or less injured, but none but the Louisville seriously. There were five killed and two wounded on the Louisville. The gunboats will notbe in a condition to renew the attack before to-morrow morning.

In consequence of the height of the bluffs on which the rebel fortifications are built, our shots cannot have as much effect on them as those at Fort Henry. It will therefore require a much longer time to reduce this fort.

The rebels have raised the Black Flag. It can be seen flying from the bank a short distance above here.