Confederate Battle Flag
The best-known Confederate flag was the Battle Flag, the familiar "Southern Cross". The first major
battle of the war, Bull Run or First Manassas, brought to light problems in using the First National
Flag on the field of battle. To solve this problem Congressman William Porcher Miles, suggested to Gen.
Beauregard that the army adopt as a battle flag the pattern which he had designed for the First National
Flag. This pattern was rejected by the Congress twice. Beauregard authorized commanding generals in the
field to furnish their troops with this battle flag. This Battle Flag was made in September 1861, and
issued to commanders in the field. The Stars represented the 11 states actually in the Confederacy plus
Kentucky and Missouri.
