Tracing its
origin to the early 1800's during a border dispute with Spain, the Bonnie Blue
Flag was for years used as a symbol of Southern independence. It served as the
unofficial flag of the Confederacy until it was replaced by the Stars and
Bars.
Although the more famous Battle Flag is often referred to erroneously as the
Stars and Bars, this flag is the more properly known by that informal title. It
was replaced in May 1863 after a number of incidents of battlefield confusion
resulted due to its similarity to the U.S. Stars and Stripes.
As more
states joined the young Confederacy, stars continued to the added to the flag.
This variant shows the final version of the flags after the last of 13 states
joined the Confederacy.
The
Second National Flag, or the Stainless Banner, was the replacement for the Stars
and Bars. It was adopted in May of 1863. One of the first flags produced was
used to cover the casket of Lieutenant General Thomas J. "Stonewall" Jackson,
and is today on display at the Museum of the Confederacy in Richmond.
The
final Confederate flag, the Third National Flag was sometimes referred to as the
"Blood-stained Banner". It was adopted in March of 1865 after reports that the
Second National Flag had been mistaken on the field of battle for a flag of
truce.
This
little known flag was used during the first half of the war. Naval Jacks are
used by Naval vessels while in port.
This
elongated battle flag was used as a naval jack during the second half of the
war. It was adopted in 1948 as the symbol of Southern Democrats, the so-called
"Dixiecrats."
The Great
Seal of the Confederacy, or "Deo Vindice" seal was smuggled through the Union
blockade, along with its pressing equipment, during the war. It proudly displays
the Confederate motto of Deo Vindice, which is Latin for "God will Vindicate."
In keeping with the Southerners belief that their struggle was continuing the
beliefs of America's founding fathers, the seal displays a mounted General
George Washington in the center of the seal.
After several
incidents of battlefield confusion at Manassas, the staffs of Generals Joseph
Johnston and Pierre Beauregard submitted designs for a distinctive banner to fly
over the Confederate Army in Northern Virginia to set it distinctly apart from
the U.S. Stars and Stripes. The design submitted by General Beauregard's staff
was selected as the official banner, due mainly to its simpler design. Conceived
on the field of battle for the noblest of reasons, to save the lives of their
comrades, the Confederate Battle Flag flew proudly over every battlefield for
the next four years, until being furled finally at Appomatox in April 1865.
This
Stars and Bars variant, sometimes called the Ark and the Covenant, marked the
location of the headquarters camp of General Robert E. Lee.
Issued
in November of 1861, the first Battle flags of the Confederacy, although quite
beautiful, were not up to the rigor of field life, since they had been made of
silk. Quickly reduced to tatters, they were replaced within a year by more
durable models.
Under
this flag, the Army of Northern Virginia fought many of its greatest battles.
Both Bunting issues were made of high quality English Bunting, making the flags
much more durable. The most unique feature of the flag is the orange border,
which is unique to this model.
Issued
as the army was departing north to invade Pennsylvania in the summer of 1863,
this issue of the battle flag was to be carried to the "High Water Mark of the
Confederacy" at the Battle of Gettysburg. It continued the fly over General
Lee's regiments until the surrender at Appomatox in April 1865.
When
General Joe Johnston ordered a standardization of battle flags early in 1864,
this flag was issued to the regiments of the army. Today, it is the most
recognized Confederate flag.
General
Nathan Bedford Forrest fought under this unique Battle Flag, which was missing
the middle star. Debate rages to this day over which Confederate state was left
out of this arrangement.
Serving in Granbury's Texas Brigade, one of the premiere brigade sized units
in the Confederate Army, the 6th and 15th Texas Consolidated Regiment carried
this flag which combined features of the Hardee Pattern Battle Flag and the
Texas Republic Flag of 1836.
Designed
by General Hardee for the troops of his corps, this flag was first flown at the
Battle of Shiloh.
When
General Joe Johnston ordered a standardization of Battle Flags, the division of
General Patrick Cleburne successfully appealed to keep their Hardee flags. Thus,
the Hardee/Cleburne flag was flown until the final surrender of the Army of
Tennessee in April 1865 at Greensboro, North Carolina.
At
the same time that General Hardee designed his flag, General Polk designed this
St. George's cross flag for the men of his corps. It was used until the
standardization of flags in 1864.
The
Arkansas Artillery Battery of Captain Thomas Keys, which fired in support of
Patrick Cleburne's Division, flew this Hardee variant. It was still serving
under it when the battery was overrun and captured at the Battle of Jonesboro,
Georgia on September 1, 1864.
One of
the most famous regiments in the war was Terry's Texas Rangers. Also known as
the 8th Texas Cavalry, they flew this unique flag for one month in 1864. It was
captured by the Yankees when the flag-bearer snagged the banner on a tree during
a skirmish, and it was ripped from its staff.
In the
turbulent days after the defeat at Shiloh, General Dabney Maury's division
fought under this banner during the battles of Corinth and Iuka in September and
October of 1862.
General Earl
Van Dorn designed this banner for his men of the Army of the West. It was used
during the army's great battle at Elkhorn Tavern (or Pea Ridge, if yer a
Yankee!). The flag saw brief action east of the Mississippi after the arrival of
the Army of the West at Corinth shortly after the Battle of Shiloh.
General
Richard Taylor used this odd flag, as did many of his units. Legend has it that
the flags got its coloration due to the seamstress misunderstanding her
instructions. Regardless of the possible bumbling origin of the flag, the troops
beneath it gained an impressive victory over the Federals at Mansfield,
Louisiana.
This
Stars and Bars variant features the usual 13 stars for the states of the nation,
but also has 5 red stars representing the five civilized tribes. Adopted by the
Cherokee Nation, it was also used by some Cherokee units, such as Stand Watie's
Cherokee Mounted Rifles, which flew this banner labeled "Cherokee Braves."
The
smaller Choctaw contingent of the Confederate Army flew this distinct banner
which features the native weapons of the Choctaw tribe.
Among
the toughest fighters in the Confederate Army were Missourians. Many of the
Missouri regiments in the Trans-Mississippi West fought under this banner.
General Jo Shelby led his "Iron Brigade" under this banner, and later used it
after he ascended to Division command. In June 1865, he sunk his flag in the Rio
Grande River on his way to Mexico rather than surrender the flag to the
Federals. However, one of his men reputedly rescued the flag from its watery
grave.
