Facts About the Confederate Flag

One reason for a different flag was to avoid confusion in battle.

The Confederate flag is both an emblematic and controversial image in American culture and history. Creation of the flag in many ways mirrored the development of the conflict to which it is bound.

Loyalties to the Old Flag

This flag is much closer to the Confederate national flag.

States that initially seceded and formed the Confederacy largely supported a flag that resembled the U.S. flag, as they still felt loyal to it. To make it somewhat different, they replaced the traditional stripes with bars which were thicker and less in number.

Confusion of Battle

By the time of the first Battle of Bull Run in 1862, it was becoming apparent that having similar flags to the federal forces was making distinguishing friend from foe difficult. This is when the concept of creating a new flag that was far different from the stars and stripes became an accepted idea.

Different Flags

This new flag gained the x-like shape we associate with the Confederate flag. However, it was only a battle flag and not the official state or national flag of the Confederacy. They remain two distinctly different things.

Other Names and Uses

The x-shaped battle flag is also known as the Southern Cross, or the Cross of St. Andrew. Some extremist groups have used its symbolism as part of a past social order. The KKK is one example. The flag was also incorporated into some state flags in the South after the end of the Civil War.

References

• Confederate Flag
• The First Official Flag of the Confederacy
• St. Andrew's Cross