Also known as the “Stars and Bars” the length. However, these specifications were referred to by modern Southern patriots first flag of the Confederate States of America not always followed and some surviving in a salute as “The Unsurrendered was adopted by the Provisional Congress, examples have dimensions that are more Banner of the Southern People”. March 4, 1861. Evidence suggests that the conventional. designer of this flag was Nicola Marschall, a The white field was proclaimed to be Prussian artist who lived and taught in the emblematic of the purity of the Cause, small town of Marion, Alabama. which it represented. The canton now The above version contains 7 stars consisted of the new square Battle Flag with Bonnie Blue Flag representing the first 7 Southern states to its St. Andrew’s Cross.. or Lone Star Flag secede from the Union. This version lasted rd Unfortunately, the first use of the was first raised during the War for Southern until the 3 week in May 1861 when Virginia Stainless Banner was to drape the coffin of Independence as the unofficial flag of the and Arkansas were admitted to the General Thomas J. “Stonewall” Jackson Battle Flag Confederacy. The flag eventually contained a new Republic of in 1861. who was killed by friendly fire on May 2, The above “Southern Cross” battle constellation of thirteen stars. An Irish borne actor by the name of 1863. flag design was first issued to Harry Macarthy was so inspired by the sight During the first battle of Manassas, The Stainless Banner could at times Confederate troops in November, 1861 of this flag waving over the state capitol that Virginia, this flag was confused in the smoke appear to be a flag of truce with its large to help identify Confederate units in he wrote a song titled “The Bonnie Blue and confusion as a US flag. This led to the white field. This would later be corrected. combat and eliminate the problems Flag” which became the second most popular adoption of the more familiar Battle Flag with encountered on the battlefield of song in the Confederacy after “Dixie”. its characteristic St. Andrews Cross. Manassas in July of that year. st This flag was not new to Floridians as The 1 national flag remained in official This example was issued to the the first use of a lone star flag dates back to service until May 1, 1863 Army of Northern Virginia in 1863 and 1810 when this flag flew over the Republic was made of English wool bunting. of West . There were many variations throughout During the War for Southern the war in size, color of border, material Independence, it is said the single white star construction, arrangement and number of represented the taking of the state’s star from 3rd and Current National Flag of the stars, etc. the constellation contained in the canton of Confederate States Government the U.S. flag and hurling it into the heavens The Flag Act of 1865 sought to to stand alone and independent. To this day, eliminate the problem of the 2nd national the Bonnie Blue Flag still represents the nd 2 National Flag of the Confederate States flag being mistaken for a flag of truce. desire of many Southern people for the Government or “The Stainless Banner” Detailed changes were made to include independence of their states from shortening the fly length, adding a red bar Washington, DC. The second national flag of the Confederate States was adopted May 1, 1863 on the fly end and changing the square and sought to eliminate any similarity with canton to a rectangular shape. This flag was the old US flag. By this time, Southerners officially adopted on March 4, 1865 when Battle Flag of the Army of Tennessee (1864) had lost all sentimental attachment to the old Confederate President Jefferson Davis US flag and viewed it as a symbol of signed Senate Bill No. 137 into law. Upon taking command of the Army oppression and imperialistic aggression. Since the Confederate government of Tennessee, General Joseph E. The Flag Act of 1863 called for a flag of never surrendered in 1865, only its armies Johnston issued the above rectangular unusual proportions that would be twice as in the field, the 3rd national flag remains the battle flag to his units during the months final official flag of the occupied of March and April 1864. 1st National Flag of the Confederate States long as its width whereas most flags were Government manufactured with a width two-thirds its Confederate States of America. It is often Unlike the square battle flag of the By an order dated January 13, 1861, Interestingly, Tallahassee was the only Virginians, this flag was rectangular with no Florida’s military department adopted this Confederate state capitol east of the border and always contained 13 stars. provisional flag until the governor of the state Mississippi river to not be captured by the This flag was also used as a Naval Jack provided an official state flag. U.S. military during the war. Puppet by the Confederate States Navy after May 26, This design had also been used earlier by governments installed in Tallahassee during 1863. the Navy between 1836 Reconstruction eventually changed and 1845. Florida’s flag and Constitution making the This flag is the most well known of all 1861 flag the only flag with a pure pedigree the Confederate banners and has become an of freedom to be chosen by Floridians to emblem of resistance to tyranny, oppression represent them. and unjust government edicts, not only here in the U.S but in many other parts of the Space naturally limits our ability to world. During the breakup of the former tell you about the many different flags Soviet Union, this Southern Cross flag was used by the Confederate States during filmed being waved by anticommunist their War for Southern Independence. demonstrators. We hope that the information you have The rectangular battle flag has become a Flag of Florida Adopted September 13, 1861 received here will motivate you to learn powerful symbol, often evoking either love In September 1861 Florida Governor, more not only about the flags of our or hatred in those who look upon it. Madison Starke Perry issued an executive Southern forefathers but the Cause for order establishing a new state flag. Until this which they fought. Recommended time Florida had no official state flag since it reading on this subject includes: “The had joined the Union in 1845. Flags of the Confederacy by Devereaux This flag was similar in appearance to the D. Cannon, Jr. Confederate national flag adopted 6 months Distributed Locally By: earlier. However, the blue canton was extended to form a vertical bar the entire width of the flag. The new seal of the state A Floridian’s Guide Provisional Flag of Florida, January 13, 1861 was centered on this canton in a white ellipse. to September 13, 1861 The seal was rather complex as the official To After Florida’s secession from the United description notes: “In the center of the ellipse 8 Flags of the States on January 10, 1861, Florida state is a single strong Live Oak Tree. Beyond is For more information on the Florida troops under Colonel William H. Chase seen the Gulf of Mexico, with vessels in the League of the South please visit: Confederacy seized control of all federal properties at the distance. In front of and near the foot of the Oak is a piece of Field Artillery. Beyond the Pensacola Naval Yard. Shortly thereafter, FreeFlorida.org – State website 1861 – 1865 - Today the above lone star flag sometimes referred to gun, and resting against the boll of the Oak, is as the Chase Flag was hoisted above the seen a stand of six colors – the Confederate CoolChange.net – Northeast FL chapter naval yard. and State Flags to the front. To the left of the Field Piece are Four Muskets stacked. To the It has been said that Chase’s troops cut Or, contact us at: right and near, balls piled and a drum.” the canton from a U.S. flag and replaced it The Florida League of the South with the center of the Bonnie Blue Flag. Around the seal, our state proudly PO Box 37338 proclaimed “In God is our Trust” above and An Educational Project Thus, the single star represented the state of Jacksonville, Florida 32236-7338 of the Florida’s separation and independence from “Florida” below. Florida League of the South the . Email: [email protected]