CONFEDERATE FLAGS
THE BONNIE BLUE 1861
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. The flag consisting of a blue field with a large white star, known as was one of the more popular flags to represent the united cause over the entire south.
![[stars and bars - 7 stars]](us-csa7.gif)
THE STARS AND BARS
1861-1863
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.
1861-1865
The Confederate Battle Flag. The best-known Confederate flag, however, was the Battle Flag, the familiar "Southern Cross". It was carried by Confederate troops in the field which were the vast majority of forces under the confederacy. The Stars represented the 11 states actually in the Confederacy plus Kentucky and Missouri. 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.
1863-1865
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.
1865- Present
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.
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