Glenn, Rose, and Jim,

I have been following your discussion of the probability of an actual Quantrill "black flag" with some interest. Some time in the past I also looked into this aspect of the guerrilla war.

First, regarding the sources you listed, I have corroborated Frank James' and Allen Palmer's accounts against other versions of similar events and they check out. That is, it appears they are writing about actual events in which they took part. Sadly, I cannot say the same for Kit Dalton's account. I tried in every way I could to connect the events Kit describes against known events and he washes out. Therefore, I tend to agree with the contention that Kit evidently used the accounts of others to fabricate his own fictional involvement in Quantrill's command. Didn't Kit Dalton also claim to be Jesse James at one time after the real Jesse's death? I never heard of Jack Schwartz nor Jim Lunn. Rose, could you tell me a little about Jack and Jim?

What I conclude from all this is that if Frank James and Jim Palmer said Quantrill did not ride under a literal black flag I would believe them and not the others. Quantrill and all other guerrilla and irregular bands in MO certainly operated under figurative black flags thanks to Union Major General Henry Halleck's March 1862 edict that all guerrillas were bandits and not to be considered as valid combatants protected under POW rights. Oh, the misery and unnecessary loss of life that shallow-minded edict caused! Of course, this meant no quarter would be asked nor given, and this was the course of the guerrilla war in MO from then on.

I also recall reading that Annie Fickle did make a flag for the guerrilla band in which her brother rode, but I don't recall what kind of flag it was. Most of the sewing done for guerrillas by the ladies was on those embroidered hunting shirts they were fond of wearing. "Bloody Bill" Anderson's band wore red shirts of this type by 1864.

Incidentally, I have read the contention of southern sympathizers in Johnson County, MO that MAJ Emory S.Foster and his part of 7th Cav MSM out of Warrensburg in 1862 did ride on occasion under a black flag to signify they would fight to the death to rid their county of southern guerrillas. They tried their best and nearly did, too.

Beginning in 1863 and continuing for the remainder of the guerrilla war in MO some of the more mobile, better-led bushwhacker bands wore Union uniforms and carried U.S. flags to facilitate their movement over long distances.

I hope that helps. I don't know if this controversy will ever be clearly resolved.

Bruce Nichols