No other symbols in American life are the subject of more attention than traditional Southern flags. They have become political tools used by many organizations whose philosophies are diametrically opposed to those of most Southerners.

To the vast majority of Americans, however, Southern flags are the beloved symbols of a fallen nation, the Confederate States of America. This page was developed by Lenon.com to show the history and the true meaning of the most well know symbols of the South.

The Bonnie Blue Flag

The historic Bonnie Blue Flag or "Lone Star Flag" originated in Florida the early 1800's. The Bonnie Blue served as the unofficial flag of the Confederacy until 1861 when it was replaced by the "Stars and Bars".

The first recorded use of the "Lone Star Flag" dates to 1810. On September 11, 1810 a troop of West Florida dragoons set out for the provincial capitol at Baton Rouge under this flag. They were joined by other republican forces and captured Baton Rouge, imprisoned the Governor and on September 23, 1810 raised their Bonnie Blue Flag over the Fort of Baton Rouge. Three days later the president of the West Florida Convention, signed a Declaration of Independence and the flag became the emblem of a new republic. By December 10, the flag of the United States replaced the Bonnie Blue after President Madison issued a proclamation declaring West Florida under the jurisdiction of the Governor of the Louisiana Territory.

With this rebellion in mind, this flag was used by the Republic of Texas from 1836 to 1839. On January 9, 1861 the convention of the People of Mississippi adopted an Ordinance of Secession. With this announcement the Bonnie Blue Flag was raised over the capitol building in Jackson.

The Confederate government did not officially adopt this flag but the people did and "Lone Star" flags were adopted in some form in five of the southern States in 1861.

Harry Macarthy was so inspired by events that were taking place in the South that he wrote a song entitled The Bonnie Blue Flag which was just as popular as Dixie in the early 1860's.

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. By then, sentimental feelings for the USA were declining while national pride in the tenacity of the South's superior military forces was at an all time high.

The pattern and colors of this flag did not distinguish it sharply from 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)
Texas (February 1, 1861)

The Second Official Flag of the Confederacy

On May 1st,1863, a second design was adopted, placing the Battle Flag in a white field. It was named the "Stainless Banner" due to the purity of the Southern struggle for independence.

Soon, this flag too presented problems for the Southern forces in the field. The rectangular shape coupled with the use of heavy cotton made this flag hang in such a way as to almost hide the Confederate flag in the upper corner. In several instances, this flag was mistaken for an all white flag of truce.

Efforts to secede failed in Kentucky and Missouri though those states were represented by two of the stars. 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)

The Third Official Flag of the Confederacy

On March 4, 1865, a red vertical bar was added to the end of the flag. This design became the final and present Confederate National Flag often referred to as the "Third National Flag".

The Confederate Battle Flag

The best-known Confederate flag was the Battle Flag or "Southern Cross", an adaptation of the Scottish Cross of Saint Andrew. It was carried by Confederate troops in the field which were the vast majority of forces under the confederacy. The Stars represented the 11 states actually in the Confederacy plus Kentucky and Missouri.

The Second Confederate Navy Jack

This flag was used mainly by the Confederate Navy but also by some ground troops. It was used as a navy jack at sea from 1863 onward. This flag has become the generally recognized symbol of the South.

Correct-thinking Americans can only wonder if the NAACP and its allies will pursue the purification of our history with the same determination and dispatch they have our Confederate flags. They surely won't stop at merely stamping out the memories of Southerners. Two such stains on the breast of the republic are found in the heart of the nation's capital, the memorials to Jefferson, who sexually harassed Sally Hemings, and Lincoln, whose primitive views of race relations would make David Duke blush.

Jefferson's crimes are well known. Lincoln's are less so, given the Republican cult that has grown up around the 16th president. How can reasonable men not want to tear down these shrines of worship, now that the awful flag has been furled over Carolina?

Here's Lincoln's famous view of the races, offered in 1858:

"I will say that I am not, nor ever have been in favor of bringing about in any way the social and political equality of the white and black races — that I am not nor ever have been in favor of making voters or jurors of negroes [sic], nor of qualifying them to hold office, nor to intermarry with white people; and I will say in addition to this that there is a physical difference between the white and black races which I believe will forever forbid the two races living together on terms of social and political equality."

Lee never talked like that, and old Pat Cleburne sacrificed his fourth star to the cause of freeing slaves and taking them into his regiments. Lincoln never recanted his views, and indeed, on the night the Union finally drove old Dixie down he asked a military band to play Dixie on the White House lawn. What more do we need to know?

If you would like to purchase any of these flags, please follow this link to Southern Mart Online.