John - Once again I love your work here. A similar white rag, hoisted on a stick, was used at the onset of the Civil War by the first three enslaved men to appear at the main gate at Fort Monroe in May of 1861 to request asylum. It was after midnight and the full moon illuminated their outlines as they walked across the causeway carrying this flag, asking for the first Union Army-sanctioned freedom. So this flag could as easily be the flag of freedom and a symbol of self-emancipation, too.
Thank you for this. I love that Minnesota story!
That tidbit started me writing the piece.
John - Once again I love your work here. A similar white rag, hoisted on a stick, was used at the onset of the Civil War by the first three enslaved men to appear at the main gate at Fort Monroe in May of 1861 to request asylum. It was after midnight and the full moon illuminated their outlines as they walked across the causeway carrying this flag, asking for the first Union Army-sanctioned freedom. So this flag could as easily be the flag of freedom and a symbol of self-emancipation, too.
John, What a thoughtful, excellent and timely essay.
Thank you.