The Black Flag

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One of my favorite persons in all of history, let alone American history, is Thomas Jonathan Jackson, the orphan who through divine providence was lead from the Shenandoah Valley to the halls of West Point. From there he proved himself with boldness and valiant deeds upon the soil of Mexico and against the Indians and elements of the the deep south. His fame, though, came from his boldness in the War of Northern Aggression, also known as the American Civil War. Here, on the soil of his native Virginia, he lead his foot cavalry on campaign after campaign, ambitiously pursuing the accursed Yankee invader of our “homes and hearths”. If his legacy and, in way of criticism of Confederate leadership, war strategy were to be summed up, it would be with the Black Flag. No mercy, no quarter, no parlance with the enemy until he indeed knows the depths of your resolve, the ferverence with which you hold to your cause.

This battle plan he learned not only at West Point, but from the Bible itself. When God gave orders for all the enemy, even their cattle, to be slain and the leader did as was he was supposed too, Israel was victorious, prosperous, and blessed. They also never had to worry about trouble from that group of people again.

General Jackson was not of sufficient esteem early enough in the war for his Biblical strategy to be given serious thought. He proved himself the faithful servant and performed the orders given to him with diligence. Thus, we have the legacy of an upright man, who in spite of his expertise in matters of war, was a very loving and tender man. He, like the patriarchs of old, prayed with his eyes open, and listened to the still small voice of God.

What we can learn from Jackson, from the Word of God, is that our enemy is as dead set against us as the usurper of the north was against the due process of law and the free republic whom he swore to serve. If we show our chief adversary mercy, let the battle be taken to us, surely we shall perish. I didn't say go to hell, I said perish. We can lead our lives by strong and courageous faith in the Word of God, or we can sit back in the comfort of our “life saving stations” and forget what the purpose of the life saving station was in the first place. Gentlemen, give not your enemy quarter, for you shall you receive none. We fly the Black flag in front of all our regiments, divisions, battalions, and platoons. Those who have not learned to wield the sword can still die upon them if we do fail. We cannot fail!