The First National Confederate 7 Stars and Bars Flag served as the national flag of the Confederacy from March 4, 1861 to May 1, 1863. It is named for its blue canton with a circle of seven white stars representing the original states that formed the southern states of the United States when they seceded from the Union in 1860. The red field symbolizes the blood of Christ and the white border represents the protection of God. The X in the middle is based on the Christian cross of Saint Andrew, Patron Saint of Scotland and the first Disciple of Jesus Christ.Resource: ultimateflags.com

Legacy of the South: First National Confederate 7 Stars and Bars Flag

During the early part of the war, there were many designs for the Confederate national flag. Most were based on the Stars and Stripes, but there was one exception, a proposal by South Carolina Congressman William Porcher Miles. He wanted a design that was unique and distinctive. He was concerned that too many Confederates looked back with nostalgia to the Union and wanted the national flag to be different from the Stars and Bars.

In the end, a majority of the Provisional Congress committee favored the Stars and Bars. It was adopted, but soon criticized for its too close resemblance to the United States flag and feared to confuse the battlefield. General Beauregard recommended having a separate battle flag with a red background crisscrossed by a blue X. This was soon adopted as the Army of Northern Virginia’s flag.