Confederate Van Dorn Battle Flag

By Crusader1307

One of the few Confederate Battles Flags NOT to incorporate the well known “Southern Cross” motif, this flag was designed by General Earl Van Dorn in 1862. His command of the “disputed” Territories of Arkansas, Missouri and Kansas (States with strong Southern sympathies but unable to officially join The Confederacy). All Units in Van Dorn's command carried this banner. Red, it featured 13 large white 5-pointed stars covering the entirety of the flag. Each star represented a Southern State (and those in sympathy). In the upper left Canton was a white Crescent Moon (or possibly a Gorget). The Van Dorn Flag was well known to many Union soldiers in the Region. There were some variations on his flag (most without his approval).