Hurrah for the Bonnie Blue Flag!

Pictured to the right is the Navy Jack of the Confederate States of America. It was not the country's flag. It wasn't even the battle flag of the short-lived republic. It was the flag flown from the CSA's ships that were fighting for southern freedom. Unfortunately, however, this flag today has gained a very negative image, representing to many people a spirit of rebellion and infidelity. This is really a shame, as in the old days this was definitely not intended. I daresay that the negative image attributed to the Navy Jack has also spread to other things as well. Since it is often thought to have been the flag of the Confederacy itself, it gives the country a bad image also.

A popular song during the War Between the States hailed the first (unofficial) flag, a blue flag with a white star in the center:

We are a band of brothers and native to the soil,
Fighting for our liberty with treasure, blood and toil;
And when our rights were threatened, the cry rose near and far,
Hurrah! for the Bonnie Blue Flag that bears a single star.

Hurrah! Hurrah! For Southern rights hurrah!
Hurrah for the Bonnie Blue Flag that bears a single star.

As long as the Union was faithful to her trust,
Like friends and like brothers both kind were we and just;
But now, when Northern treachery attempts our rights to mar,
We hoist on high the Bonnie Blue Flag that bears a single star.

Hurrah! Hurrah! For Southern rights hurrah!
Hurrah for the Bonnie Blue Flag that bears a single star.

The verses then go on to welcome each new state to the confederacy. The first official national flag is the one often called "the stars and bars" (pictured to the left). This flag was employed for two years, and then retired due to its similarity to the United States flag. After that, a new flag was adopted, called the "stainless banner". This flag had a white field, with the battle flag in the canton (the battle flag being a square version of the Navy Jack). This flag was clearly distinct, but when there was no wind, it could easily be mistaken for a flag of truce, since it was mostly white. Thus, the third national flag was adopted in 1865. This one was identical to the stainless banner, except that it had a red bar on the right edge, to clearly distinguish it from being a sign of surrender. Unfortunately, this flag was very short-lived, since the South was conquered just a month later.

Although many regard the banners of the Confederacy as negative symbols, we should not be ashamed of our heritage. Let us display the flags proudly in memory of the soldiers who fought and died for our freedom long ago.