The First National Confederate 7 Stars and Bars Flag | Ultimate Flags Store was adopted by the Confederate Provisional Congress on March 4, 1861. The flag bore seven stars representing the first seven states that seceded from the Union. Eventually, the Confederacy would add Kentucky and Missouri to the union bringing the total number of stars up to 13. The Confederate Army used this First National Flag until May 1, 1863 when it was replaced by the more popular Stainless Banner.

After the embarrassing first battle at Manassas the South determined that it needed a new flag which would more clearly distinguish itself from the Union. A committee of the Provisional Congress was charged with finding a suitable design. The committee received hundreds of proposals, most of which paid homage to the Stars and Stripes, reflecting the nostalgia that many Southerners felt for the Union and their desire to retain some connection with it.

Exploring Heritage: First National Confederate 7 Stars and Bars Flag

Ultimately the committee settled on a flag that had seven white stars arranged in a circle and on a blue field with red horizontal bars. The resemblance to the Union flag caused confusion on the battlefield and it is believed that the ambiguity of this flag led to the many instances of Southern commanders retreating thinking they were under attack by Union reinforcements. This confusion probably contributed to the heavy losses at the Battle of Gettysburg.

Although both Orren Randolph Smith of North Carolina and Nicola Marschall of Alabama claimed to have designed the 7 Stars and Bars Flag, neither men’s names appear in the committee notes and records. Joe McMillan’s research shows that the committee itself designed the 1st National Confederate 7 Stars and Bars flag.