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The Jefferson Davis pirate flag...



Item # 691066

May 12, 1861

NEW YORK DAILY TRIBUNE, May 12, 1861  

* Confederate pirate flag ?
* Issued by Jefferson Davis 


The black flag used in May 1861 symbolized no quarter given—a warning that no mercy would be shown to enemies. When Confederate privateers sailed under letters of marque authorized by Jefferson Davis, some reportedly flew black flags to signal their intent to fight ruthlessly against Union shipping. This defied traditional wartime codes and heightened tensions, marking the Confederate commitment to total war at sea.

The most intriguing item on the front page is the print of a black flag of the Confederacy with its skull & cross-bones. The report is headed: "The Apotheosis Of Piracy" "The South Under the Black Flag" "Murder At A Premium" with reports from "The Southern Congress".
I do not believe this was any official Confederate flag, looking much more like a traditional pirate flag, Printed within is "J.D.  His Marque" meaning Jefferson Davis.
Among other column headlines on the Civil War are: "THE WAR FOR THE UNION" "Fears Of Starvation" "Movements of the Rebels" "Danger of Slave Insurrection" "Proclamation Of The President" "Jeff. Davis, The Pirate" and more.

AI notes: The black flag used in May 1861 symbolized no quarter given—a warning that no mercy would be shown to enemies. When Confederate privateers sailed under letters of marque authorized by Jefferson Davis, some reportedly flew black flags to signal their intent to fight ruthlessly against Union shipping. This defied traditional wartime codes and heightened tensions, marking the Confederate commitment to total war at sea.

Item from last month's catalog - #355, released for June, 2025

Category: Yankee