The most prominent regional flag of the South is the Battle Flag of the Confederate States of America.  The Battle Flag was used on the field of honor to aid with the communication of the troops.  Their movement during battle was often directed by where the flag bearer carried the flag.  Communication was a key element of the Constitutional Cause for the Confederate soldier. Just as in those days, communication today is a key element to our cause of education of the truth.  Unfortunately, the Flag itself has repeatedly come under attack because of its misuse by some people, and lack of education of its history on the part of others.  The flag cannot defend itself when being misused by certain individuals.  An educated public is its best defense.  

Defending With Honor

First hand personal accounts of the period constantly reflect the courage, valor, honor, sacrifice and duty of the Southern people during the nineteenth century in their service during the War for Southern Independence.  In May 1864, a young farmer nineteen years old,  Thomas J. Dingler, of Spalding County, Georgia was serving as a color bearer for the 44th Regiment of Georgia Volunteers during the Battle of Spotsylvania.  The Union attack was directed at his front.  Pvt. Dingler waved his flag on the firing line in defiance to the invaders. Heavily outnumbered, the unarmed color bearer became a target to be taken because he held onto his beloved banner, his battle flag.  Surrounded by the enemy, he still refused to surrender his flag.  One of the enemy gave him the bayonet, but the young Dingler gathered the flag in close to his side.  The enemy wanted to capture the trophy of the flag, so more men pushed their bayonets into his body.  Undefended, he finally fell, but he held on to the edge of his blood stained flag as it was ripped from his hands. After the battle his Comrades found their blood stained color bearer with 17 bayonet wounds thrust into his young body.  In his hands were only left the red shreds of his beloved battle flag.  He was buried with these shreds.  Private Dingler persevered to the end, devoted to his flag. 

 I Am Not The “Stars and Bars”

"I am the most popular Battle Flag of the Confederate States of America.  My thirteen, white five-pointed stars represent the States of the Confederacy.  I am a four foot square, with a red field covered by a dark blue St. Andrew’s Cross, edged with a narrow strip of white.  You may call me the “Southern Cross.”  My borders are yellow to reflect Kentucky’s neutrality.  My design was approved by the War Department in September of 1861, being distributed to the regiments of the Army of Northern Virginia in October.  The Battle Flag was designed to be used on the field of battle.  My design, above, was never a national flag of the Confederacy.  I have been referred to in error by some people as the “Stars and Bars”.  I have no way of correcting them, so its up to you.  The “Stars and Bars” was the First National Flag of the Confederacy, designed to favor the “Stars and Stripes” flag of the Union.  The Southern people were proud of their old country during the early years of the war, and many felt the South could claim the “Stars and Stripes” too.  The designs were similar thereby causing confusion on the battlefield.

Confederate Perspective 

The Battle Flag of the Confederate States of America was carried throughout the war by the men and boys of the South.  These soldiers represented the last thin Gray Line of Southern defenders during the War for Southern Independence. The survivors knew what would happen to their side of the story after the last shots were fired.  Eloquently expressed, the last survivor of General “Stonewall” Jackson’s staff speaks his concern for what the future generations would be exposed to.

    “All that was, or is now, desired is that error and injustice be excluded from the text books of the schools and from the literature brought into our homes; that the truth be told, without exaggeration and without omission’ truth for its own sake and for the sake of honest history, and that the generations to come after us not be left to bear the burden of shame and dishonor unrighteously laid upon the name of their noble sires.”  Rev. James P. Smith, Staff of General Thomas J. “Stonewall” Jackson, C.S.A. 

 Words of Wisdom

Duty - action required by one’s position, conduct due to superiors, a moral or legal obligation.  The words of General Robert E. Lee were an appropriate charge to the people of the South during his day, and his words are still valid for all Americans today. 

    “Duty is the sublimest word in our language.  Do your duty in all things.  You cannot do more.  You should never wish to do less.” General Robert E. Lee, C.S.A. 

A Proud Heritage 

General Lee viewed duty as sublime, but what is our duty today, as Americans?  As you go, take advantages of opportunities to discuss the Battle Flag and the truth of Confederate Heritage.  Present the symbols of Confederate Heritage in the proper manner representing the people of the South and their sacrifices to the Confederate Cause.  Educate yourselves and your families to the historical truths of the War period, and when you see the Battle Flag, pause to reflect on the honored heritage it means for all Americans.

 Learn More?

For further readings on the Flags of the Confederate States of America:  Confederate Veteran magazine (Sept.-Oct. 1988, Jan.-Feb. 1989, July-Aug. 1993), Southern Partisan magazine (Vol. XVI, Fourth Quarter, 1996), and Embattled Banner: A Reasonable Defense of the Confederate Battle Flag by Don Hinkle.  
 

The Sons of Confederate Veterans is a  historical, patriotic, and non-political organization composed of male descendants of Confederate soldiers and sailors dedicated to insuring that a true history of the 1861-1865 period is preserved and presented to the public.  The SCV continues to educate the public of the memory and reputation of the Confederate soldier as well as the motives for his suffering and sacrifice.  1-800-380-1896 or http://www.scv.org
or P.O. Box 59, Columbia, Tenn. 38402-0059