Why were Confederate battle flags created?

[wilber6150]

Just a quick question that maybe someone can answer.. Why did the Confederacy have need for a "battle flag", why not just use their national flag;we don't see its counterpart created in the Union. You have the national flag and a state flag for Union units, was there confusion in the Confederate ranks over a national flag and what side units were on...

 

[huskerblitz]

I've always considered the regimental flags to be the "battle flags" of the Union. Yes, there were some variation but a great deal were similar with the federal eagle, scroll-arrows and ribbons. And of course, they carried a national flag as well.

 

[Pat Young]

was there confusion in the Confederate ranks over a national flag and what side units were on...

John Coski's history of the CBF says that it was created because of confusion on the battlefield.

I think part of the CBFs popularity was its excellent design qualities. It is, in some ways, a design superior to either the U.S. flag or the several CSA National Flags.

 

[dlofting]

If I recall correctly the "stars and bars" was too easily confused with the US flag at any distance. The 2nd and 3rd national flags had a lot of white in them and could be mistaken for a flag of truce. Hence the need for a different battle flag.

 

[Patrick H]

Pat Young and dlofting have it for you. The diagonal crossed arms on the square field looked like nothing else. The design was clean, attractive and unique for its day. It could be recognized even when hanging limp on a completely still day. The First National flag was too easily confused with the Stars and Stripes on a still day or on a smoky field. The SecondNational flag was too easily confused with a flag of truce on a windlass day or a smoky field.

 

[DixieRifles]

In the opening scenes of "Glory", you will notice that Massachusetts regimental flag was all WHITE with the state symbol.

The regimental flag of the Union regiments were not all the same.

I guess another question would be why was Battle Flag square in most cases and not the standard proportions of the US or Confederate National flag??