"Black Flags at the ACW." Topic

Two questions:

1) Do you used Black Flags in your ACW wargames?

2) Were them used at the ACW?

I see this background.

"During the Civil War, flying "under the black flag" meant that you would take no prisoners. Historians debate whether such flags existed. As I talked about in my post about the bushwhacker leader Quantrill's black flag, it's doubtful whether he ever had one. A few later accounts said he did, but two of his famous followers, Frank James and Cole Younger, both said he didn't.

There must be some truth to the legend of the black flag, however. In a report filed on March 16, 1863, by Colonel John McNeil of the Second Missouri State Militia Cavalry, he talks about how for the previous week he took 500 of his men and two cannons on a sweep through southeastern Missouri to clear it of rebels. He also administered the loyalty oath to more than a hundred civilians…"
Full article here
link

Also
link

And

"General TJ "Stonewall" Jackson is said to have recommended "the black flag" as the way to force the north to settle and to gain Southern independence. I was first introduced to this in Bevin Alexander's excellent book "How the South Could Have Won the War," and in the movie God's and Generals, General Jackson welcomes General Stuart and immediately launches into a sermon recommending "the black flag" prior to First Manassas…"
From
link

Thanks in advance for your guidance.

Amicalement
Armand

The term "black flag" seems to be more metaphorical than actual. Some folks trace the term back to the age of piracy and others back to the Mongols. In any case, the term was used in the 19th Century meaning an intent to leave no enemies alive.

I can see Jackson advocating such a course of action; he was a bit of a hard case. Fortunately no one took that seriously. The war was bad enough as it was.

As for waving an actual black flag, I have never run across a reliable reference to that having occurred.

On the topic of bushwackers: my great-great-grandfather's farm was burned down by Confederate bushwackers while he was away fighting for the Union. I harbor no romantic notions regarding those guys.

First I ever heard of it. I can't believe any unit in the ANV would use it. Can't see Lee approving such a thing. I don't have my books with me but I can't ever recall reading anything about a black flag in any CSA unit. Maybe the Fort Pillow Massacre??? But I doubt it.

Someone may chime in with 10 examples of Lee personally carrying a black flag while leading a charge. But I say it was never carried by any unit other than maybe a semi-military outfit like Quantrall's. Not the best example to model on. Sounds more like a nautical issue.

I agree with the above posters.

The only unit I recall reading a "Black" flag as a unit flag in combat was Bloody Bill Anderson's unit, but they were irregulars. Not sure if they are associated with Quantrall, but they were a similar unit.

The 54th New York originally had a black flag with a skull and crossbones emblem, but it was criticized by officials and so it was replaced

link

Many thanks for your guidance boys!.

Amicalement
Armand

Anderson was originally one of Quantrill's lieutenants.

Black flags were used by the Signal Corps and were included in their kit as one of the various flag types to be used when setting up a signal station.

I believe certain divisional flags were also black. I have at least one in my currently collection of officer stands (with a white crescent on it).

Not aware of and never read about the uses mentioned in the original post.

Forrest it is said that he would raise the Black Flag if Union Troops did not surrender. He mayhave said that at Fort Pillow against Negro Union Troops.

Didn't El CID(Charlton Heston) fight against Black flags?