The Confederacy had many different flags. The most commonly flown and well known is the Confederate Battle Flag.

Flags that are used in combat are known as battle flags. The use of battle flags dates back to the time of Roman Legions. During this period, a distinctive insignia was used to tell one side from another. A battle flag is essential to a war because it tells the commander and soldiers the type of units in combat and where each unit is located.

In the early stages of the Civil War a distinctive battle flag was greatly needed. Many Confederate regiments flew the Confederate National flag, "Stars and Bars." This flag was similar to the Union's "Stars and Stripes." The first battles were fought under great confusion and chaos. People did not know who was fighting, let alone where they were fighting. Sometimes the commanders did not know which units were their's, and they even attacked their own units!

The commanding general of the Army of Northern Virginia, General Joseph E. Johnston, ordered troops to use their state flags. This would have worked except there were not enough flags for each unit. Because there was still battle confusion, many generals asked congress to change the Confederate National Flag. Instead, Congressman Miles suggested that the Army use a distinctive battle flag. In November of 1861 the first battle flags were issued to the regiments. The flag became known as the "Southern Cross." It had a total of 12 stars making a big X on the flag.

The idea for the battle flag cam from Congressman Miles. In March of 1861, a commitee was formed to approve an official flag for the Confederate States of America. One of the flags submitted was designed by the chairman of his commitee, Congressman William Porcher Miles of South Carolina. His idea was rejected by congress. "One member even ridicules it as resembling a "pair of suspenders"." The interesting thing is, this flag went on to become the model behind the "Sounther Cross" flag, the flag that helped to distinguish military units from each ohter. In present day, if you asked anyone to describe what the confederate flag looks like, they would probably describe the "pair of suspenders" and not the offical "Stars and Bars".

There were three types of material that Confederate flags were made of. The first flags were made of silk. These flags did not last very long in strong winds or in heavy warfare. Sometimes the colors of these flags would fade and become a reddish pink color. The silk flags were used up until 1863, when they were not made or issued anymore. In 1862 the flags were made out of cotton. These new cotton flags were issued to three brigades. The flags still looked the same and still had 12 stars. In late 1862, the flags were constructed out of heavy English wool. These sturdier flags had 13 stars for the 13 states of the Confederacy.

Some of the regiment's flags had their in sigma painted in the middle of the flag. The flag to the left, is the "Missouri Battle Flag." Each type of unit also had specifications for its flag.

Infantry units carried the largest flags. This flag was usually 48 in. by 48 in. The artillery flag was usually 36 in. to a square side, although the artillery sometimes flew infantry sided flags. The smallest of all flags was the cavalry flag which was 30 in. on all sides. This helped the commanders by telling them which type of unit was there and where it was. All of these measurements include the protective borders around a flag.

General Polk created two versions of the battle flag.The armies of Tennessee, Mississippi, and the Trans - Mississippi Department all had different styles for their battle flags. All these different flags were still designed for the same purpose, to tell the commanding officer where his units were and which type of unit was there. General Polk c One was the famous "moon" flag which had an oval, circular, or rectangular shape on a blue background. General Bragg's corps used a flag which looked similar to the ones used in Northern Virginia, except it had 12 six pointed stars on it. Other corps under the command of General Breckendige used the "Bonnie Blue" flag. Bowen's Missouri division used blue flags with red borders and a white cross on it. Lastly the army of the west used flags that looked like Middle Eastern flags with a red back ground, and either yellow or white stars and borders

As for the army of Tenesse's flag which was inspired by the army of Northern Virginia's flag was also supposed to be square, but the factory messed up and made them slightly rectangular. The battle flags of South Carolina, Florida, and Georgia also looked similar the Army's of North Virginia's flag but were still a bit different. These flags were made by Charleston depot and began to be used around in 1862. They can be distinguished by their wide cross and colored pole sleeves of red and blue.

All three National flags also served as battle flags. They were mostly used in the west and in the Trans - Mississippi area. The most odd flag was probably the flag flown by General Walkers Texas division. These flags were issued to units by 1864. They were square blue flags with a St.Andrews cross and 13 stars. The first national flag "Bonnie Blue" was the only flag to be used as a battle flag from the beginning of the Civil War to the end of the Civil War. It was used in Appotamox, North Carolina, and during 1864 campaigns.

One of the highest honors in battle is to carry your units flag. In order to carry the flag you must become a color barer. The color barer must fight with no weapons and must always be at the head of his unit holding the flag high regardless what the cost. The color barer must not let the flag be captured even if this means throwing himself into the arms of the enemy and giving his life for the flag. It was and still is a great honor to be appointed such a position with such responsibility. Since the color barer has no weapons he needs a color guard. The color guard would protect the color barer and the flag with his life. Most importantly the flag must be flown with pride and must never fall into enemy hands.