Flags of The Confederacy

Group A - Those Likely Used in the Western Campaign

First National Confederate Flag - March 4, 1861 to May 1863

Immediately after sucession each state initiallly used its own flag nplace of the Stars and Stripes. After the formation of the Confederacy there was a demand for a single distinctive flag. On the same day as Lincoln's inaugreation, March 4, 1861, the first flag of the Confederacy was adopted. The red white and blue colors were used abd used stars to represent the states. They replaced the thirteen red and white stripes with three stripes of the same colors which they referred to as bars. This gave rise to the popular name of the flag as the "Stars and Bars".

The flag design was offered to a congressional committee by Nicola Marshall of Alabama. The version shown here is the original seven star version.

Republic of Texas Flag - 1836 to Present

This flag was created during the formation of the Texas Republic in 1836. It has served as the state flag after admission to the United States. It still serves as the state flag to this day.

Texas Guide On

The guide on was used extensively by the Texans during the campaign. A basic design of a Texas star on a red field.

Group B - Other Confederate Flags

A later version of the First National. The original seven stars was changed to thirteen as by July of 1861 North Caroina, Tenessee, Arkansas, and Virgina seceeded. By the end of the year th states of Kentucky and Missouri were admitted dispite being occupied border states. Flag makers often ckose tpatterns other than a circle and often further embellished the flag.

The Battle Flag

After the battle of First Manassas there was confusion distingushing between the "Stars and Stripes" and the "Stars and Bars" at any reasonable distance. This led to frienly troops firing on each other with disastrous effect. P. T. Bearegard designed the famous Battle Flag of the Confederacy to remedy this problem. It was a square flag with a St. Andrews cross with thirteen stars to represent the Confederate States.this flag was used for the remainder of the war. this was often incorporated into regimental colors. A similiar rectangular flag was used as a Naval Jack. This flag was square to conserve on silk. Red silk often was in short supply and various shades of pink had to be substituted.

Second National Flag - May 1863 to March 1865

The original "Stars and Bars" presented two problems to the South. First it was too closely allied to the "Stars and Stripes" for the people of the South who favored a complete break with the Union and wanted a flag that was much more distinctive from the Union flag. As the war progressed the demand for such a distinctive flag became more insistent. Another problem was that in combat the "Stars and Bars" could be confused with the Union flag with dire consequences.

In May of 1863 the Confederate Congress changed the flagby placing the famous battle flag of the Confederacy into the union and substituted a white field for the "Bars". This white field resulted in the nickname "Stainless Banner".

Third National Flag - March 1865

It was soon apparent that when the wind was calm that the union could be hidden by thefolds and be mistaken for a truce flag. Therefore it was not acceptable to the Confederate military leaders. This was done by putting a red bar across the width of the field. This was the final flag of the Confederacy through the end of the war - barely enough time to see any use. Very few flags of this pattern were made.

From a reporter for the New Orleans Daily Crescent on the presentation of new colors to theDeSoto Rifles of Louisianna bu Miss Idelea Collins:

"Receive then, from your mothers and sisters, from those whose affections greet you, these colors woven by our feeble but reliant hands, and when this bright flag shall float before you on the battlefield, let it not only inspire you with the brave and patriotic ambition of a soldier aspiring to his own and his country's honor and glory but also may it be a sign that cherished ones appeal to you to save them from a fanatical and heartless foe."

The color sergent took the colors and replied ;

"May the god of battles look down upon us as we register a soldier's vow that no stain shall ever be found upon thy sacred folds, save the blood of those who fall in thy defense"

"Comrades, you have heard the pledge, may it ever guide and guard you on the tented field. In the smoke, glare and din of battle, amidst carnage and death, there let its bright folds inspire you with new strength, nerve your arms and steel your hearts to deeds of strength and valor."

Source: Thomas Flattery, ed., Echoes of Glory -Arms and Equipment of the Confederacy, Time-Life Books, 1-800 621-7026.