Flags of the Confederacy

Flags of the Civil War

National Flags

This was the first national flag of the United States. It flew over Fort Norfolk which was located at the mouth of the Elizabeth River’s eastern branch. After the fall of Yorktown in 1862, the Confederates evacuated the fort.

This was the second national flag of the Confederacy. This particular flag flew at General Hoke’s headquarters. It conforms to the 1 to 2 length proportion set by Congress, although military flags were longer.

There were only a few third National pattern flags made before the end of the war. This flag was made after the war as an example for Virginia’s last Confederate governor.

Louisiana and Cherokee Indian Flags

This flag was carried in the crescent regiment. The Crescent regiment was named for New Orleans, “The Crescent City”.

This flag was carried by the 1^st Cherokee Unit, which was composed of Cherokee Indians. There were five “civilized” tribes recognized by the Confederacy. These were Cherokee, Creek, Chickisaw, Choctaw, and Seminole. These tribes were represented by the 5 stars inside the 11 white stars.

Rebel Navy Flags

This was a storm flag on the C.S.S. Shenandoah. This storm flag along with others was given up to British authorities seven months after the Civil War ended.

This was a German state merchant flag from Hamburg. The Confederate ships often flew foreign flags because it confused the Federal blockading vessels.

Specialty Flags

This flag identified the headquarters of General Samuel G. French who headed a division in the Army of Tennessee.

Though plain, these flags were used to aid stretcher-bearers and walking wounded in finding the ambulance depots and field hospitals. In the Eastern armies, they were usually red, like this one.

Roman Cross Flags

The 3d Kentucky Infantry Regiment carried this flag into battle at Baton Rouge in August of 1862. It was also in the battle of Jackson, Mississippi in 1862.

This flag was carried with the 9^th Battalion (Pindall’s) Missouri Sharpshooters. It was issued in late 1863.

This was the personal flag of General Dabney H. Maury. He chose this style flag for the division he commanded at Vicksburgh.

Now that you've read about the Confederate flags, you can go back to the homepage or check out more on the Union flag page!