Confederate Battle Flag

By Crusader1307

The Battle flag was NOT the official flag of The Confederacy, and was first “proposed” by General Pierre Beauregard after The First Battle of Manasas (Bull Run) – in 1861. He wished for a Standard to be made for field Units that would distinguish Confederate troops from Union (Northern) troops. The Battle Flag was carried (in different varieties), by all Confederate Units during the War. The size was roughly 3 feet by 3 feet, with 13 Stars arranged in The Southern Cross – and bordered in white bunting. Unlike a National Flag, often Units would stitch or otherwise mark the Battle Flag with the names of campaigns or battles – directly onto the flag. It would often be carried with a State Flag (early in the War). It became the iconic symbol of The South after the War.