What were the official flags of the unrecognized Confederate States of America (CSA)? Many people have an idea about what the confederate flags were, and usually there is some validity to their assumptions, but what are the actual flags?
I do not necessarily condone the beliefs or actions of the former, attempted nation; the intention of this post is to share my recent discovery about their flags and to clear some confusion.
Quite frequently, I see the Battle Flag of the Army of Northern Virginia labeled as “The Confederate Flag,” which is not entirely true. This flag, known as the Dixie Flag or the Confederate Battle Flag, was formed as the battle flag of what would become the Army of Northern Virginia. The flag was used in battle by the CSA during the Civil War, and was even featured on a couple of the official Confederate flags. Since the war, the Dixie Flag has been used for numerous reasons, some of which I do not condone. One of the more notable usages in more recent history is to represent the southeastern states that are sometimes referred to as Dixie or Dixieland, hence the name Dixie Flag.
The CSA had used three flags as its official national flag before its defeat and the beginning of its reintegration into the Union in 1865:
The Stars and Bars (1861-1863)
The Stars and Bars was the first national flag of the CSA, however it was not necessary well liked among the Confederates because it was too similar to the flag of the USA which caused it to be confused in battle; many Confederates also detested the flag for its resemblance to the flag which they were fighting.
In my opinion, the Stars and Bars does appear to be a copy of the United States’ flag, especially when compared to the Betsy Ross Flag that was used by the United States during the Revolutionary War.
The Stainless Banner (1863-1865)
The second national flag of the CSA was designed to be different from the flag of the Union, and even featured the popular Battle Flag of Northern Virginia as its canton. This flag quickly became popular, but later received complaints about being too white and too similar to the all-white symbol of surrender or truce. Some Confederate soldiers even cut off the white portion of the flag, leaving only the canton.
The Blood-Stained Banner (1865)
The third and final national flag of the CSA was the Blood-Stained Banner, this adaptation was made to resolve the complaints of the previous flag. This flag was the least used banner due to its adoption shortly before the Confederacy’s defeat.
Those were the only official national flags of the Confederate States, although, neither the United States nor any other foreign government ever recognized the sovereignty of the Confederate States; the US was obviously not intending to recognized the CS as independent, as the US was actively fighting to preserve the Union. There were also a handful of other battle flags and proposed flags for the CSA that can be found in my first source at the end of this post!
Though I was taught all my growing up that the Confederacy needed to be stopped, though I support the Union and their efforts, and though I approve of the United States’ reunification, I take interest in learning the true flags of the CSA. Despite their betrayal to the United States, those people still laid down their lives for those flags, for the cause in which they believed. Hundreds of thousands of people lost their lives during the Civil War, and due to the definition of that war, a war between citizens of the same country, American lives were lost on both sides; not rebels and yankees, but Americans.
It is sobering to realize that one’s giving of their own life is non-refundable; regardless of the justification of their cause or lack thereof, they cannot be returned their lives. Such is the case for those who payed the ultimate price for the Confederate States, the United States, or any other nation or cause.
An ideal or dream would certainly have to be deemed greater than myself before I would lay my own life down for it. Be grateful to those who selflessly sacrificed their lives so that you can be who you are.
Onward American 🇺🇸
Source: Flags of the Confederate States of America
Onward American 
I agree with your findings on this topic, but on other opinions, I believe that the cs had the right to declare independence but they’re only source of income was slaves not every southern citizen liked the idea of slaves. But that was the only way to make money and goods there was less of a population in the south in the mid 1860’s. But in the North more population, more jobs, more factories being produced.
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