FINE CONFEDERATE “STARS & BARS” EARLY WAR FLAG COMMEMORATING TEXAS 7TH SECEDING STATE
inv # 02-14734

33 3/4″ x 56 1/2″, 5″ Stars in 22″ canton, all hand sewn, cotton, linen & silk. This flag was found in a New England estate. It most likely was a Confederate trophy brought or sent home by Union soldier, a souvenir of the early war. The 1st National Confederate flag “Stars & Bars” was authorized March 4, 1861. Numerous homemade flags were produced by patriotic Southerners, this is one of those early flags w/ 7 stars for the 1st seven seceding states; South Carolina, Mississippi, Florida, Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana & Texas. Texas was last to join the Montgomery provisional Congress where the first thing on agenda was to design a flag & Texas was the 7th state to secede February 1. The canton exhibits 6 single appliqué sewn through stars & one single appliqué star different from all the rest w/ added 3/8 inch white linen fimbriation or edging on side sewn through which makes this 7th star standout. Texas was the 7th state & the star had special meaning to the maker, if only its history was not lost to time. Flag is totally hand sewn by very skilled hands, no hoist was sewn to leading-edge which has bound edging like the other 3 sides. There are sm. silk cords tied to the upper corners in such a fashion that this flag could be hung possibly from a tent as opposed to being tied to a pole, which addition of another silk cord tied at bottom of leading-edge would facilitate. Virginia would become the 8th Confederate state April 17, 1861 & the flag would change to 8 stars, then 9 & finally 11 when Tennessee joined the Confederacy June 8, 1861. We can properly hypothesize that this flag was made between March 4th, 1861 & April 17, 1861.

Of the hundreds of 1st national flags extant, a vast majority have more than 7 stars, many of which are sm. personal “bible” flags. This flag fits the known characteristics of construction, sewing school & materials found on other contemporary Civil War Confederate flags. It is among the best preserved & aesthetically pleasing Confederate 1st nationals surviving in private hands. Condition & size are perfect for the finest collection or institutional display, possibly sewn by loving hands of women at home for a Texan in the field in early 1861.