I have had a couple people ask what flag is that as my avatar, and Marty asked me to start a thread about her.

I just learned today a little more history about this flag, I knew it pre dated the Civil war, but did not know what it meant for those who flew it. It was first used by the Republic of South Florida after it declared independence from Mexico, for a very short period of time before that territory was annexed into the US.

It then was again flown as the first flag of the Republic of Texas but the color of the star was changed from white to yellow.

That is what I learned today and most of that info came from wikipedia.

The Bonnie Blue is most known form the Civil war. It was known as the flag of succession. Mississippi raised the Bonnie Blue after passing Ordinance of Secession. Georgia along with a few other states flew her in some form. The flag was more popular in the Western theater and was popular with some of the Texas brigades.

The flag became to be known for states rights and the song written by Harry McCarthy very popular only Dixie was more popular. The song says a lot about the feelings for the flag and the way people felt in the South during that era.

We are a band of brothers, natives of the soil,
Fighting for our property we gained by honest toil;
But when our rights were threatened the cry rose near and far,
Hurrah for the Bonnie Blue Flag that bears a single star,


CHORUS.

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 we were kind and just;
But when Northern treachery attempts our rights to mar,
We hoist on high the Bonnie Blue Flag that bears a single star.


Hurrah, &c.

First gallant South Carolina who nobly made a stand,
Then came Alabama who took her by the hand;
Next quickly Mississippi, Georgia and Florida,
All raised on high the Bonnie Blue Flag that bears a single star.


Hurrah, &c.

Ye men of valor gather round the banner of our right,
Texas and fair Louisiana will join us in the fight;
Davis is our loved President, and Stephens statesman rare,
Now rally round the Bonnie Blue Flag that bears a single star.


Hurrah, &c.

Then here's to brave Virginia, the Old Dominion State,
Who with the young Confederacy at length has linked her fate;
Impelled by her example let other States prepare,
So cheer up for the Bonnie Blue Flag that bears a single star.


Hurrah, &c.

Then here's to our Confederacy, so strong we are and brave,
Like patriots of old, we'll fight our heritage to save:
And rather than submit to shame, to die we would prefer,
So cheer up for the Bonnie Blue Flag that bears a single star.


Hurrah, &c.

Then cheer up boys, cheer, and raise a joyous shout,
Arkansas and North Carolina have both gone out;
Then another rousing cheer for Tennessee be given,
The single star of the Bonnie Blue Flag has grown to be eleven.


Hurrah, &c.

Here's to good old Maryland, although she is not out,
She's first to meet the enemy and turn them face about;
She'll join our young Confederacy, that's spreading near and far,
And link her fate with the Bonnie Blue Flag that bears eleven stars.


CHORUS,

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

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A2F-drjUwNU"]YouTube - BONNIE BLUE FLAG (FULL VERSION)[/ame]

http://history.sandiego.edu/gen/snd/bonnieblueflag.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bonnie_Blue_Flag

I am by far no expert so please feel free to add any other info you may have.

 

You could also fly the 1st National and I doubt you would hear a peep. It was so much like the American flag that during the fog of war there was several accounts of friendlies firing on each other because they could not tell which flag was which.

Of all the flags of the Confederacy the 2nd National is my favorite.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flags_of_the_Confederate_States_of_America