CSS ''Alabama'' Ensign

By Crusader1307

The CSS ''Alabama'' was one of The American Confederate States most successful Commerce Raider and Blockade ''Runner'' of The American Civil War of 1861-1865. As has been previously discussed, ''Alabama'' was credited with sinking and capturing well over 100 Union Warships and Commerce Ships before she eventually was sunk in battle in 1864. While ''Alabama'' flew The Confederate 1st National Flag or The ''Stars and Bars'' when she was commissioned, her often long Missions kept her away from any friendly (Confederate Ports) or Foreign ones. As such, her Commissioning Flag only featured (7) Stars to represent those Confederate States. Unable to secure a newer Flag, The ''Alabama'' simply added the newer State by sewing an additional Star off-set on the Upper Left Canton. Later, prior to Her sinking, ''Alabama'' did eventually receive a proper Flag in Merseyside, England. It was this Flag that was salvaged by the USS ''Kerserage'' (The Union Warship that sunk Her) and currently displayed in a State Museum in Alabama. The ''Off-Set'' Flag's whereabouts was never known.