Why we sell Southern flags:

The short answer is that we don't prejudge people who want to own one.

Everyone knows the antagonistic purposes for which these flags are often used. Every other kind of flag we sell can be used for those purposes. I have seen Christian, US Marine Corps and American flags used that way. Through the years, we have gotten to know many people of good will who do not support those purposes but own these flags in the context of creating a connection to their forbears and the place they call home. As other flags all around the world, Confederate flags are used to identify a sense of place, spirit, family, belonging and community. Some people buy them not even for display but just to keep.

Every symbol has at least two meanings.

There is the meaning intended by the one who displays it and the meaning understood by the one who views it. "Your" flag, wherever you come from means something good to you but something very different to someone else.

Symbols also shift back and forth in meaning through the generations.

This is the Gadsden Flag . It is not "The Tea Party Flag." For more than two hundred years it was simply a flag from the American revolution and people could fly it just for its historical novelty. Since it became widely used by The Tea Party, most people now think it was created by that movement and assume people who have always flown it are adherents of that movement.

For many decades the Confederate flag was a pop symbol of youthful energy, country living and rebellious spirit as it adorned lunch pails, school sports teams, album covers and a popular TV show. During that time, it was also brandished the day a screaming crowd of adults made a sixteen year old girl cry on what should have been her first day of school at Central High School in Little Rock, Arkansas.  Context is everything.

Southern flags are used by Civil War reenactors portraying Southern troops. We have provided them to teachers for classroom use.

Slavery

The historical connection of both the Confederate flag, and of our American flag, to the buying and selling of human beings and of the degradation of black people is undeniable. Focusing rage on Southern flags creates for some folks a comfortable though narrative of good and bad. North good, South bad. It obscures the uncomfortable historical blame shared by people from all sections of our country at the time of its founding for arranging the promise of America for some people while denying it to others. The founding of our country is a story of liberty promised and liberty denied.

 Jump To Slavery Discussion

Flags matter and people are very passionate about them.

Throughout more than 35 years in this business we have been at various times criticized for selling or displaying the flags of Israel, Puerto Rico, Black Lives Matter, and Ireland to name a few. We provide on this web site Vatican flags, Rainbow "Pride" flags, Democrat and Republican flags and flags from the Presidential campaigns of Obama, Trump. Biden and Hillary Clinton. Political Flags  We provide flags of all nations. We provide Peace Flags. We provide a diversity of flags and we hope that they will always be used with good will.

Followers of our web site know that we have made a niche in providing flags of American history. The War Between The States is one of the most significant periods in that history and the flags on this page are offered in that context. Long ago, those young men who fought that war came back to Gettysburg as very old men. There, in their last years on earth, they shook hands across the stone wall which marked the end of Pickett's charge. Look in the Ken Burns series. There is film of them doing so. Would that we could all do the same. The small book, now sold out, about Elmira Prison Camp, told the story of the escaped slave who, in his job of conducting the burials, personally saw to it that thousands of Confederate soldiers, who perished in "The North's Andersonville", received a decent burial here in New York State. He made sure that their names and grave locations were carefully recorded. He knew that someone would want to know where they are.

They were Confederate soldiers. He knew they were some mother's sons. Those sons of The South now rest here in New York State. Now they are our sons too. We could all take a lesson from that man's humanity.

We provide historical flags, and books on historical flags, from both the North and the South. That is what we have done since 1977.

Union Flags        Books

Confederate flags for sale. Where can I buy Confederate flags? Here:

Confederate Battle Flag Sewn Cotton   Confederate Flags Nylon

Slavery: Its Connection to American And Confederate Flags

If you believe the war "had nothing to do with slavery", read it from their own words.

A Southern View of the Invasion of the South by the North and the War of 1861-65

By Captain S. A. Ashe in 1935. Ash was the last surviving commissioned officer in the Confederate Army. He is honest and accurate regarding The South's position on slavery and the protection it was losing under The Constitution.

WE HAVE ONE COPY OF THIS BOOK LEFT: $5.95

Click to enlarge

The 18th century founding of The United States saw the rise and the defense of liberty at the same time as the rise and defense of slavery

Things to look up, a partial and evolving list:

1777 June 14th Congress creates the American flag. Under it...

1787 Our constitution is created. Without ever using the word, it protects and guarantees slavery in all of our states. The delegates debate the slavery issue intensely and bluntly.  Some of the most passionate advocates to end the slave trade, (but not slavery) come from Maryland and Virginia. Gouvernor Morris of Pennsylvania talks about freeing the slaves, making them citizens and letting them vote. Other Northern delegates advise just leaving it alone. You can read the transcript by searching "James Madison's notes."

1790 Congress creates The first Naturalization Law limiting citizenship to "free white persons."

1793 Fugitive Slave Act: People escaping slavery must be returned. Those captured are brought before a judge and, with out a trial, are sent into slavery based merely on a sworn affidavit that they are someone's property. Free blacks are sometimes rounded up and send into bondage.

1850 Fugitive Slave Act: A new harsher version. You could be ordered by the government to assist in the search for and capture of people escaping slavery. Penalties are harsher

1857 The Supreme Court Dred Scott Decision affirms that the US Constitution was not meant to include citizenship for black people and that its rights and privileges do not apply to them.

1858 Lincoln-Douglas debates. Abraham Lincoln states that he is not in favor of social or political equality of white and black races. He declared himself against black people voting, serving on juries, holding office, and intermarrying with whites. As reported by Snopes, historian Eric Foner stated that while Lincoln hated slavery, he shared the prejudices of his society. As President, Lincoln came to favor emancipation with recolonization: black people should be freed but then deported.

1860 December, South Carolina is the first to leave the Union. Just as the 13 colonies issued a Declaration of Independence explaining their reasons for leaving the British empire, each Southern state issued documents explaining their many reasons. JUST LOOK THEM UP AND READ THROUGH THEM. Texas and South Carolina are particularly clear. These documents contain many honest and blunt explanations of slavery and black servitude being an important cause, though not the only cause, of secession.

It is not true that war had "nothing to do with slavery."

1861 January, Jefferson Davis' farewell speech in the US Senate. IT IS A MUST READ. In a very moving speech, he points out that The Constitution established slaves as property and yet Southern states were being denied the protection of the constitutional rights to that property. These rights being threatened, his state of Mississippi must leave in spite of the affection felt based on the shared sisterhood and lineage of the several states. In 1881 he publishes a massive 1500 page work The Rise and Fall of the Confederate Government. I read the whole thing. He just lays it all out.

March 1861 The First National Confederate flag is created.

CLOSEOUT: 1st National Stick Flags

2nd National Flag

4X6" on 10" Spear Tip Desk Flag

CLOSEOUT: $1.25

Third National Flag 4x6" $1.25 CLOSEOUT

Bonnie Blue Flag

4X6" on 10" Spear Tip Desk Flag

CLOSEOUT: $1.25

CLOSEOUT

Confederate Flag Stickers 3" X 9"

Part# CSABUX

$2.50 for a pack of 25

CLOSEOUT LIMITED TO STOCK ON HAND

These flags have BLACK Staffs, NOT the gold staffs shown. There are no more with gold staffs

Confederate Stick Flag Approx 4x6" on 10" plastic staff, polyester fabric, CAUTION: SHARP SPEAR TIP. NOT FOR KIDS

 4x6" Confederate Flag

#SPHCS4

 Limited to stock on hand, Sold in even dozens only

Confederate Flag Pins about 1/2"x1"

Part# PCS $1.75 each, any five for $.99 each

ANY TEN CONFEDERATE PINS FOR $2.50

CLOSEOUT

Mississippi State Flag Desk Sets

Closeout Limited to stock on hand

 

4X6" USA/MS Two Flag Desk Set with wooden base
Part #	Each
# 92MS	$2.29 per set
MS One Flag Desk Set with wooden base
Part #	Each
# 91MS	$1.95 per set

MS State Flag Desk Sets, Walnut Base

 

USA/MS Two Flag Desk Set with Walnut base
Part #	1-11 sets	12 or more sets
# WN2	$12.95 per set	$9.95 per set
MS One Flag Desk Set with Walnut base
# WN1	$8.45 per set	$6.85 per set

CLOSEOUT

Mississippi State Flag

Polyester

Silk-screened light weight with heading and grommets

3x5' Part# 9CFMS $.95

Nylon  MADE IN USA

Silk-screened with heading and grommets

CLOSEOUT: Limited to stock on hand

3x5' Part# MS3 $19.95

6x10' Part# MS6 $79.00 Limited to the one in stock

Mississippi

Part# 9MB25 $.25 Each

100 FOR $19.00

 #CMC2 Confederate Veteran Grave Marker

Plastic $29.00

Durable Thermoplastic Material Does Great In The Weather. Don't let the word plastic scare you. These markers do wonderfully outdoors. They are very rugged and have a clear over coating. Plastic war grave markers are a wonderful alternative to much higher cost bronze markers for your cemetery flag holder

Plastic $29.00

Bronze Confederate Grave markers

CLOSEOUT: 1st National Stick Flags

Robert E. Lee's Headquarters Flag

USA/Big Red lapel pin

Part# PINBR $.99 We only have a couple dozen of these available. They have a metal military clutch pin back; These are jewelry quality with 24-karat gold plating.

Cherokee Braves Flag

Part# H41 $15.95 CLOSEOUT

Big Red Flag Historical Version

Part# H31X $19.95 CLOSEOUT Limited to stock on hand

Choctaw Braves Flag

Embroidered/Appliqued design

Part# H82 $15.95 CLOSEOUT Limited to stock on hand

Orleans Rifles

Part # H216 $39.00 CLOSEOUT Limited to the one left in stock

 3x5'Screen dyed nylon with heading and grommets, single reverse design

CSA Navy Jack, FULLY SEWN Appliqued Stars

Outdoor Nylon with heading and grommets

Click these images to enlarge:

CSA Navy Jack, FULLY SEWN Appliquéd Stars

Nylon Finished with heading and grommets   Beautiful workmanship

5x8' NYLON Part# 9RN5 $59.00 CLOSEOUT PRICE: $39.00 !

Limited to stock on hand

#H96 SOLD OUT The Rock City Guards 27"x5' Nylon with heading and grommets

This flag will not be back as a stock item but it is kept here for the interesting historical information behind it.

27"x5'. This unusual size evokes the long narrow scale of the original 3x7'

The Rock City Guards, a Nashville militia battalion became part of the 1st Regiment of Tennessee Volunteers. According to the 11/26/05 posting on Mr. Cannon's web site Vexillarium, "The flag was made in April 1861, after Virginia joined the Confederacy as its 8th state, but before Tennessee formally seceded. Tennessee is represented at the 9th star outside the circle, representing that we weren't in the fold yet, but were on the way. The original flag measures about 3 feet wide and almost 7 feet long, and is in the Tennessee State Museum."

The story of these flags is a story of country and of family. They are symbols of the horrible divide confronting all Americans during The War Between The States. They are symbols of a time when fathers fought sons and brothers fought brothers. They tell the story of where we get the beloved term...Old Glory Click here to see the full story of this pair of father and son flags.

From: JS Sent: Friday, January 28, 2005 8:40 AMT o: 'FLAGGUYS@aol.com'Subject: RE: THANK YOU

Dear Sirs, Thank you for your reply back. Your Great-Great Grandfather was wearing the Southern Cross of Honor, which was probably presented to him by the ladies of the United Daughters of the Confederacy (UDC). I believe it was during the 1890's the UDC had this medal made to present to as many Confederate Veterans as possible and the UDC was the ONLY authorized organization to do so using this medal. All of the Southern Cross of Honor's were presented to Confederate Vets only by UDC members and if I'm correct 14,000 medals were made and presented to Confederate Vets. You can find a lot more information about this medal on the web just by typing in "Southern Cross of Honor" in the browser section. Hope this helps. JS

Follow up from same writer:. I was mistaken. It was 1900 when the medal came out, 12,500 was the first order and a total of 78,761 medals were presented to Confederate Vets.

Glad to see my NY brethren unashamed to honor their Southron (sic) forebear!Hurrah for the Empire State (from the Magnolia State)! -- JH Sons of Confederate Veterans Camp # XXX, Mississippi

UNITED DAUGHTERS OF THE CONFEDERACY.SOUTHERN CROSS OF HONOR DOCUMENTS.SC #2060CARRIER LIBRARY, JAMES MADISON UNIVERSITYCompiled by Scott DeNoon, April 1988

Flat Box 1 Series II: OversizeFolder 1 Southern Cross of Honor Recipient Records

This guy agrees with the first two guys <<The medal he is wearing is a membership medal of the United Confederate Veterans (UCV). It is based on the Southern Cross of Honor and veterans who were members of a UCV camp wore them. A reunion medal would have a cloth ribbon on it.<<

But is seems as though this e mail from our friend "Crutch" Williams at Crutchfield's Currency explains it best:

** Southern Cross of Honor

Information taken from Confederate Currency & Stamps by Claud E. Fuller, 1949. He is considered, still today, the expert on Civil War weapons and specifically the Southern weapons. He was a Yankee that was adopted by the United Daughters of the Confederacy, Tennessee Division. He had a section in his book that gives a more complete history on The Southern Cross of Honor. It was at a chapter meeting, Athens (Georgia) UDC later summer 1898 that Mrs. Mary Cobb Erwin presented a resolution to present a belated and much deserved medal to the soldiers and sailors of the South. There are a lot of "Whereas" and "Resolved" in the document. This resolution was presented to the Georgia body and approved October, 1898 and then to the main body UDC for final adoption November, 1899.

Your site, or the site you reference, gives conflicting information. You have "The design of the cross used by the UDC was created by Mrs. Alexander S. Erwin in July 1898." According to Fuller, leading historian of things Confederate and also of the UDC, he says, "The cross was designed by Mrs. S. E. Gabbett, of Atlanta, Georgia". I would believe that Fuller is correct that GABBETT designed the cross and Mrs. Alexander S. Erwin, listed by her familiar name Mary Cobb Erwin, was the one that put forth the resolution in local chapter. Mrs. Erwin was probably the President of that local chapter. I'm sure a more through search of records would give you all the names involved from the Athens UDC chapter, to the Georgia State UDC and finally the national UDC.

"The first presentation to Confederate veterans took place on the Confederate Memorial Day, April 26, 1900, and has since been known as the Southern Cross of Honor." Description: "Bronze cross pattee, bearing in the center a laurel wreath encircling the inscription in four lines, DEO VINDICE 1861 1865. The four arms of the cross inscribed SOUTHERN CROSS OF HONOR. Reverse, In the center a similar wreath encircling the Confederate battle flag, the four arms of the cross inscribed UNITED DAUGHTERS CONFEDERACY TO THE U.C.V. Suspended from a plain bar, on which the name of the recipient may be engraved."

"About twenty-five hundred crosses were distributed at that time, and since then it has been bestowed upon many thousands of Confederate veterans, and it is still being given to such as are entitled to receive it. In spite of the immense number of crosses that have been distributed, it is almost impossible to obtain a specimen so highly are they valued by those who possess them."

This information was written in 1949. The last U.C.V. meeting was 1952. There were only, I believe, five (5) veterans surviving at that time. One, George Washington Williams, the last to pass, was a cousin of my Grandfather William Richard Williams. I believe there have been some posthumous presentations in the last few years as well.

I passed on your site to a group I belong to recently. One was talking about some flags he purchased off eBay and I told them to check out all your flags. Talk to you later and

Best Regards

Crutch Williams

Life Member SCV

Crutchfield's Currency
 

The url for this page is www.flagguys.com/csaflags.html