"Confederate flag question" Topic

I just got back from the Cedar Creek reenactment and I want to ask a question that has been bothering me for a long time. One of the Confederate units flies a flag that is red/white/red vertical stripes. It looks like the flag of Peru without the shield in the middle. What is it? I have asked several Confederates and they don't know either.

Anyone out there know?

Checking all my resources the only flag I can find with vertical red and white stripes is the original Sons of Liberty flag from the start of the Revolutionary War.

Dave
Stone Mountain Miniatures

Army of Northern Virginia

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Perhaps

Was it numerous stripes or just 3 stripes? If just 3 it may be a take-off on the 2nd or 3rd National flag of the Confederacy. On the other hand, if it is for a predominately Irish ancestry unit it may be a take-off on the County Cork flag. Or, the Coast Guard Ensign prior to 1910.

I am sure someone smarter than me will have the answer.

Dave

You might want to keep in mind that some reenactor groups can play a little fast and lose with history, I've seen a Union "General" supposedly portraying Grant with six stars on each shoulder strap. Have you contacted the folks running the event" They could probably tell you what reenactor group it was.

I was in the Federal line on the receiving end of that unit and that stumped us also. No idea who it was or what the flag was supposed to be. It was 3 stripes. Our guess was also that it was a 'creative interpretation', but I'd be just as happy to be proven wrong.

-Will

Not the last national flag (nothing in the canton), not the Cork flag (that appears to be 1/2 red and 1/2 white). A real stumper, even the Confederates I know couldn't identify it and these guys are well informed.

Unfortunately, I am inclined to believe it is a creative interpretation myself. Too bad, I am always looking for things to add to my ACW troops to break up the monotony.

I can't imagine what we did to Peru that they would send troops against us.

Unfortunately, Cedar Creek is one of those Civil War events that attracts some of the least authentic re-enactors. You might have found them.

I looked thru the confederate OOB for the real battle and didn't see any obviously weird possibilities (militia unit, etc.) The only thing close is a confederate signal flag for the number "2", but that had the red stripes horizontal, not vertical.

The origins of this flag has been debated over on the Civil War Flags Message Board.

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So far it has been tracked down to a group calling themselves Wise's Legion out of the West Virginia area. They display this flag in several photos on their website but the site currently seems to be inactive.

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So at this point the flag's original provenance remains unknown.

Ryan – thanks for the post, I found it telling that one of the posters in the flag forum forwarded an e-mail from the Museum of the Confederacy saying they had never heard of such a flag. Looks like the "creative interpretation" hypothesis is gaining credibility.

Too bad, I was looking forward to painting an easy flag.

Unfortunately, Cedar Creek is one of those Civil War events that attracts some of the least authentic re-enactors. You might have found them.

Yes, like most big shows the 'Plastic Cooler Brigade' was out in force.

-Will

Ah yes the memories, don lowery would concur, I was in the mudsills a long time

eh? what?

How extensive are the MOC's records on Confederate flags that are not in their collection?

lowry, are you the same don that was a sgt in the 49th Indiana for all thoase yers

i may have you confused with another Don Lowery, my apologies

Army of Northern Virginia

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Perhaps

Sorry, that the 3rd Pattern Naval ensign.

Sorry, Clay, no, I'm not. There seem to be a lot of us. I'm this one:
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my apologies, boy i feel dumb right about now….