Stars & Bars
Although less well known than the "Confederate Battle Flags", the Stars and Bars was used as the official
flag of the Confederacy from March 1861 to May of 1863. The Provinional Congress of the Confederacy, which
was in session in Montgomery, Alabama, established a committee to find a flag to represent the new nation.
The First National flag design was credited to two men Nicola Marshall of Montgomery, Alabama and Orren R.
Smith of North Carolina. The flag was approved in time for a scheduled flag raising on 4 March, the date
Lincoln was to be sworn into office as President of the United States. The pattern and colors of this flag
did not distinguish it sharply fom the Stars and Stripes of the Union. Consequently, considerable confusion
was caused on the battlefield. This lead to the design and adoption by General Beauregard of Louisiana,
the flag that is known as "The Battle Flag". As a member of the Confederate States, Louisiana flew the
Confederate National Flags from 1861 to 1865.The seven stars represent the original Confederate States;
South Carolina (December 20, 1860) Georgia (January 19, 1861)
Mississippi(January 9, 1861) Louisiana (January 26, 1861)
Florida (January 10,1861) Texas (February 1, 1861) Alabama (January 11, 1861)