Although I am a true southerner and proud of the south's rich history and heritage, I intentionally avoid writing about topics from our past which some could potentially find offensive or painful. Charm, graciousness and southern hospitality are at the core of aspirations for any card-carrying Southern Belle, which includes making friends and strangers alike feel warm, welcome and like a member of the family.
However, history is what it is. It would be a dishonor to rewrite it. It would be foolish to ignore it.
Last week I enjoyed a lunch with my dear friend Dianne, a self proclaimed Yankee (born and raised in Rhode Island, but much of her adult life has been lived south of the Mason-Dixon line) and her sweet husband Stephen (born and raised southerner). Dianne, an accomplished doctor, practice management coach, and entrepreneur, had never heard of the Bonnie Blue Flag, which is the undisputed flag of the Confederacy. Yet, she described in detail the Southern Cross and mistakingly referred to it, as most people do, as the Stars and Bars.
For educational purposes only and to enlighten those interested in the history of the South, the following is a brief explanation of the more popular flags of the Confederate States of America.
The first recorded use of the Bonnie Blue flag dates to 1810, when a troop of panhandle Floridians moved west with the intention to capture Baton Rouge, imprison the Governor and raise their Bonnie Blue flag in victory. Three days after their successful mission the president of the West Florida Convention signed a Declaration of Independence and this flag became the emblem of a new republic. However a couple of months later, Old Glory, the flag of the United States replaced the Bonnie Blue flag after President Madison issued a proclamation declaring West Florida under the jurisdiction of the Governor of the Louisiana Territory.
With this rebellion in mind, the Bonnie Blue became a symbol of freedom and independence, a fitting yet ironic emblem to represent and proudly wave above the newly formed southern nation. However the Confederate government did not officially adopt this flag, but the people of the Confederacy did, and the Bonnie Blue flag was adopted in some form in five of the southern states that adopted new flags in 1861. And let me point out, it was this flag that flew over the Confederate batteries that fired upon Fort Sumter starting the US Civil War.
Although less well known than the Bonnie Blue flag or the Confederate Battle Flag, the Stars and Bars was adopted as the official flag of the Confederacy from March 1861 to May of 1863.
On May 1st, 1863, a second design was adopted, placing the popular Battle Flag (also known as the "Southern Cross") on a white background. Unfortunately the design was flawed because it was easily mistaken for the white flag of surrender when there was no wind and only the white field was visible to both armies.
Finally on March 4th,1865, just when the Confederacy was fixing to collapse, a third pattern was adopted; an improvement in the practical sense, yet poignant to the poetic. A broad red bar was placed on the end of the white field as if it had been dipped in the blood of the brave, fallen men who futilely fought to defend it.
This flag is referred to as the "Blood Stained Banner."
The most popular Confederate flag from history's perspective was the Confederate Battle Flag, also known as the "Southern Cross." The Stars represented the 11 states actually in the Confederacy plus Kentucky and Missouri (border states with Confederate sympathizers but failed to secede.) It is often mistakingly referred to as the "stars and bars."
Officially used as the Confederate navy flag from 1863 onward, this flag was also more widely used than any other on the field of battle and has become the generally recognized symbol of the Confederate States of America.
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