Stars and Bars

The "Stars and Bars" was the first flag of the Confederate States of America, used from March 1861. It featured three horizontal stripes of red, white, and red, with a blue union containing white stars in a circle representing the seceded states.12

Following the First Battle of Bull Run, its similarity to the Union's Stars and Stripes caused confusion. This led to the adoption of Confederate Battle Flags in November 1861, with the most common design being the "Southern Cross".2

The Confederacy adopted its first official national flag, the "Stainless Banner," in May 1863, which incorporated the Battle Flag on a white field. A final design, the "Blood Stained Banner," added a red stripe in March 1865. The Confederate Battle Flag later became a recognizable symbol of the Confederacy and a subject of controversy regarding its association with racism and slavery. The song "The Bonnie Blue Flag" was also a popular Confederate marching song.23