Flags of the Civil War Era: Bonnie Blue

Seven brass tacks about the Bonnie Blue flag

In April of 1865, 150 years ago at the time of this writing, the final chapter of the American Civil War was unfolding. The Confederate President had been captured, General Lee made his surrender, and by June of that year, the last Confederate General, Stand Watie would finally make peace.

As such, the anniversary of the end of the Civil War has been a well-received topic lately. While many are sharing their insights into the history and positive impacts of the outcome of the war, we will carve a different path by sharing the background of historic flags from the Civil War era. We start with an unusual suspect; here are seven facts about the Bonnie Blue flag.

1. The Bonnie Blue flag was the official flag of the Confederate States of America when the Civil War began in 1861.
2. The Bonnie Blue flag resembles the flag of the short-lived Republic of West Florida. The Bonnie Blue flag also inspired flags in Mississippi, Louisiana, and Texas.
3. Today, there are only six known Bonnie Blue flags from the Civil War era.
4. In 2007, one of those flags was sold at auction for nearly $48,000.
5. In Gone with the Wind, Rhett Butler nicknames his daughter "Bonnie Blue Butler" after Melanie Wilkes remarks that her eyes will be "as blue as the Bonnie Blue flag."
6. In 1861, Harry McCarthy wrote the song, “The Bonnie Blue Flag,” also known as “We Are a Band of Brothers,” as a marching song for Confederate soldiers.
7. A Union version of the song was written by J.L. Geddes, and was titled “The Bonnie Flag with the Stripes and Stars.”

Where can I purchase a Bonnie Blue flag?

Liberty Flags is proud to offer desktop and outdoor sizes of a full line of replica historical flags, including the Bonnie Blue flag. Click to purchase an outdoor Bonnie Blue flag or a desktop size Bonnie Blue historic flag. 

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Have a great day, from your friends at LIBERTY FLAGS, The American Wave®.