During the Civil
War, many Southern states left the Union. These Confederate
or "Rebel" states wanted their own flag to fly. The first
Rebel flag that flew over the Confederacy, was the
Bonnie Blue.
The Bonnie Blue was never adopted by the confederacy,
but it was loved by the people.
Officially, the first Rebel flag was the
Stars and
Bars. The Stars and Bars
flew from March 1861 to May of
1863. Unfortunately this Rebel flag looked too much like the
Union's Stars and Stripes. The Confederate states decided to
look further for a more unique design.
The best-known Rebel flag was the Confederate
Battle Flag, also known as the
"Southern Cross". The Battle flag was carried by Confederate
troops during battle. So, on May 1st,1863, the second
Confederate
flag design was adopted, placing the Battle Flag as the canton on
a white field. It was named the
Stainless
Banner. This Rebel flag was mistaken for a truce
flag in calm weather, since it would just hang with
mostly white showing. This led the Confederacy to create the third
Official Rebel flag. On March 4th,1865, a new pattern
was adapted. It was the same as the previous design, but
with a wide, red stripe on the fly end. The third flag did
not last long, since the war came to an end. It was called
the Last
Confederate flag.
The Confederate Battle flag is the most recognized Rebel flag. Many
people know it from the
Dukes of Hazzard
TV show.
The Rebel flag was painted on the top of the Duke Boys' car, the
General Lee. The Confederate flag
has also appeared on several southern state flags at one time or
another. The only state to keep the Rebel flag as part of
their state flag presently, is Mississippi.
Click here for more information about the
Rebel flag! |
