1st National Confederate 13 Star 3×5 Flag – Printed

$5.95

In stock

The 13 star version of the stars and bars was the 4th and final version of this national flag design for the Confederate States of America.

The first official national flag of the Confederacy, the “Stars and Bars”, was adopted March 4, 1861 and served until May 1, 1863 when it was replaced with the “Stainless Banner”. Designed by German/Prussian artist Nicola Marschall in Marion, Alabama the 1st national flag resembled the flag of the Austrian Empire. Representing the 1st 7 states to secede from the Union (South Carolina, Mississippi, Florida, Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana and Texas), the first version of the stars and bars had 7 stars in the blue field. On May 21, 1861 2 stars were added after Virginia and Arkansas seceded. North Carolina and Tennessee were the final 2 states to secede and 2 more stars were added on July 2, 1861 bringing the total number of stars to 11. On November 28, 1861 2 more stars were added to the flag, representing Kentucky and Missouri, although those states never officially seceded from the United States. The 13 star National flag served until May 1, 1863.

The Provisional Confederate Congress was charged with creating the National Flag and Seal. The committee asked the public to submit thoughts and ideas on the topic and was, overwhelmed by requests not to completely abandon the flag of the United States (stars and stripes). Because of the popular support for a flag resembling the U.S. flag, the stars and bars design was approved by the committee. When war broke out, the stars and bars caused confusion on the battlefield because of its likeness to the U.S. flag, especially when it was hanging down on the flagstaff with no breeze. This confusion along with considerable criticism from other Confederates eventually led to the stars and bars being replaced by the stainless banner.

Single ply polyester is a very light weight material that will fly nicely in the slightest breeze.