Stars & Bars (First Confederate) Flag

The original flag of the Confederacy, adopted by the provisional congress, and used from March 1861 until May 1863. It retains the basic design and coloration of the Union flag, differing only in the number of stars and stripes or “bars.” A star represents each of the seven states to have seceded before the attack on Fort Sumter and Lincoln’s response. The flags similarity to the Stars and Stripes caused confusion on the battlefield. Some felt that it was to similar to the Union flag, though many wanted to keep ties to the banner that waved over their forefathers. It was replaced by the Confederate Battle Flag, first in the army and eventually throughout the Confederacy.