FLAGS OF THE CSA

The Confederate States Of America had adopted Many Flags from the years 1861- 1865.

The Bonnie Blue Flag:

Tracing the origin of this flag to the early 1800's during a border dispute  with Spain, the Bonnie Blue Flag was used for years as a symbol of Southern independence. It served as the unofficial flag of the Confederacy until 1861 when it was replaced by the Stars and Bars.

The First Official Flag of the Confederacy

Although less well known than the "Confederate Battle Flags",the Stars and  Bars was used as the official flag of the Confederacy from March 1861 to May of 1863. The pattern and colors of this flag did not distinguish it sharply fom the Stars and Stripes of the Union. Consequently, considerable confusion was caused on the battlefield.

The seven stars represent the original Confederate States;   South Carolina  (December 20, 1860), Mississippi (January 9, 1861), Florida (January 10,1861), Alabama  (January 11, 1861), Georgia (January 19, 1861), Louisiana (January 26, 1861), and Texas (February 1, 1861).

The Second Official Flag of the Confederacy.

On May 1st,1863, a second design was adopted, placing the Battle Flag (also known as the "Southern Cross") as the canton on a white field. This flag was easily mistaken for a white flag of surrender especially when the air was calm and the flag hung rather than blowing in the wind.

The flag now had 13 stars having been joined officially by four more states,  Virginia (April 17, 1861), Arkansas (May 6, 1861), Tennessee (May 7, 1861),   North Carolina (May 21, 1861). Efforts to secede failed in Kentucky and Missouri  though those states were represented by two of the stars.

The third Official Flag of the Confederacy.

On March 4th,1865, a short time before the collapse of the Confederacy, a  third pattern was adapted; a broad bar of red was placed on the fly end of  the white field.

Confederate Navy Jack:

Used as a navy jack at sea from 1863 onward. This flag has become the generally  recognized symbol of the South.

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. The Stars represented the 11 states actually in the Confederacy plus Kentucky and Missouri.

General Lee's Headquaters Flag

This flag was to show where General Lee and his troops where located.

Hardee Moon Flag

From 1862 until 1865 this flag told yankees that they were facing the troops of General Hardee.

The battle flag of General Polk's Corps

General Van Dorn Battle Flag

Different Flags thru South Carolina

This flag flew over Fort Sumter  in the Charleston Harbor

"Big Red" was carried by Citadel Men

This flag flew over the customs house in Charleston after SC seceded.  It is commonly known as the "Secession Flag".

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