A remarkably well-preserved 13-star Civil War Confederate Bible flag. The hand-stitched pieced silk is framed with an old blue and white silk cord with tassels on each end. The linen is in mint overall condition with scattered areas of minor loss mostly around the stars. Read more:https://ultimateflags.com/products/rebel-cotton-flag-with-appliqued-stars-3-x-5-ft-antiqued/
This is a rare example of the type of flag that would have been flown on the battlefield. The appliqued stars show signs of wear, and the tassels have faded to a pale yellow, but the flag is otherwise in excellent shape. It is attributed to a member of the 21st North Carolina Regiment who later became a Rockingham County attorney and founder of the Reidsville Cotton Mills.
Southern Heritage: Rebel Cotton Flag with Appliqued Stars
Interestingly, this particular American flag has a random star configuration that includes less than the official number of stars for a period of time. The theory behind this is that the scattered star positioning may represent Missouri, the twelfth state to join the Confederacy (although this could also be a political statement in favor of the Union government wing of the state).
The hand-sewn construction and folksy feel of this flag suggest that it was made for display at an international or another patriotic event such as the Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia or the World’s Columbian Exposition in Chicago. It has also been antiqued for a more vintage look. This cotton battle flag is ideal for parade and limited outdoor use in reenactments or indoor displays with poles of 24 ft or more. Each cotton flag has its own unique aging “tea staining” so no two appear exactly the same.