Flags

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5th Florida Infantry Regiment flag

Photo Credit: courtesy of the Museum of Florida History

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1st and 4th Florida Regiment (consolidated) Flag

Photo Credit: courtesy of the Museum of Florida History

During the Civil War, flags served as important symbols of the two warring political entities, but also had the practical application of marking the positions of units on the battlefield.

When Florida seceded from the Union, “The Ladies Of Broward’s Neck” from Duval County presented a secession flag they had made for the occasion that proclaimed: THE RIGHTS OF THE SOUTH AT ALL HAZARDS!

Another secession-era flag, raised over Fort Barrancas and the Pensacola Navy Yard, was a copy of the United States flag, except that the canton contained a single large star. Later in 1861, Governor Perry chose a new state flag design, but it does not appear to have been flown and no example survives.

In its short history, the Confederate States of America adopted a number of flags. The First National flag, or Stars and Bars, was adopted in 1861. Early in the war, flags of this design were presented by women to local companies of Florida volunteers. Some companies, however, received unique banners. Perhaps the most well-known example is that of St. Augustine’s Florida Independent Blues, defiantly inscribed: ANY FATE BUT SUBMISSION. As companies were organized into regiments and sent outside the state to fight, the company flags were replaced by regimental flags.

Desiring a distinctive emblem for the use of troops in the field, the Confederate military adopted the famous battle flag bearing stars on a blue St. Andrews Cross on a red field. Most Florida regiments carried various examples of this banner, usually square-shaped but sometimes rectangular, and some emblazoned with the unit’s number and battle honors. Regiments at times had to replace their flags; some were battle-damaged, retired from service and sent to the governor, while others were captured. At Gettysburg, two Florida regiments lost their colors, with the 2nd Florida Infantry’s silk presentation flag being captured as the unit advanced in support of Pickett’s Charge.

In 1863 the Confederate Congress adopted the “Stainless Banner”. Only one Florida unit flag of this Second National pattern is known to exist, an inscribed banner of the consolidated 1st and 4th Florida Regiment. In March 1865, the Confederate government adopted the Third National flag. One known example of this pattern is that of the 5th Florida Cavalry Battalion, inscribed with battle honors for the Battles of Olustee and Natural Bridge.

To learn more, see: “Battle Flags of Florida Troops in Confederate Service” by Daisy Parker, Apalachee, No. 3, 1948-1950.