Civil War Flags

When a country goes to civil war, at least one new flag emerges. When a country is still in its infancy, as the United States was during the Civil War era, many new flags can emerge.

During the Civil War, Union soldiers hoisted many flags above the battlefields where they fought. Along with the U.S. flags, Union soldiers also displayed flags for their states, for their regiments and even for battle. Individual generals also had their own flags that they flew over their headquarters.

The U.S. flag of the Civil War era changed several times throughout the war to reflect the addition of new states to the Union. At the outset of the Civil War, in 1861, the flag had 33 stars; by the end of 1861, the flag had 34 stars reflecting the addition of Kansas. By 1863, West Virginia, which had separated from Virginia due to Virginia’s succession and allegiance to the Confederacy, had been accepted by the Union, bringing the number of stars up to 35.

When the Confederate States of America formed in 1861, a flag was quickly commissioned to represent the C.S.A. But not unlike the U.S., the Confederacy also went through no less than three flags during its brief lifespan.

Before an official flag was commissioned for the Confederacy, many in the Confederate states adopted the “Bonnie Blue Flag,” a blue flag featuring a white star, that was used by the short-lived Republic of West Florida. The first commissioned flag of the Confederacy, “the Stars and Bars,” was used until 1863, and was discarded due to the fact that it was often confused with the U.S. flag on the battlefield. The second Confederate flag, known as “the Stainless Banner,” featured the familiar Confederate battle flag in the upper left corner of an otherwise solid white flag. The third national flag of the Confederacy added a wide red border on the right side of “the Stainless Banner,” ostensibly to keep the previous white flag from being misconstrued as a truce flag.

Like their Union counterparts, Confederate troops also flew an array of flags, including division flags, state flags, headquarters flags, and battle flags. In fact, what is now known as the Confederate flag was never the official flag of the Confederacy; rather, it was a battle flag.

Although few of the flags used during the Civil War are still in existence today, there are several examples that have been preserved. The National Parks Service, which is responsible for the preservation of many Civil War battle sites, has a wonderful collection of Civil War flags. Here are several examples of these flags:

This Virginia Regimental Flag is held at the Appomattox Court House National Historic Site. It was captured on April 8, 1865 by Major Thomas Ward of General Armstrong Custers’s cavalry division near Namozine Church.

Also housed at Appomattox Court House National Historic Site, this flag represents the the 3rd Brigade, 2nd Division of the 9th Army Corps.

This 2nd North Carolina Volunteer Infantry regiment battle flag is held at the Gettysburg National Historic Site. Members of this regiment painted on the flag the names of the 7 battles they’d fought in.

The U.S. flag seen here was reportedly carried onto the field by Brigader General Daniel Butterfield’s brigade during the second battle of Manassas, August 30, 1862. It is now held at the Manassas National Historic Site.