This silk Confederate 1st National pattern flag has two red stripes, one white stripe and a blue field, with eleven white stars outlined in red. The 1st National flag was presented to the Provisional Congress of the Confederate States of American by a flag committee on March 4, 1861. The flag’s design was described this way: “The flag of the Confederate States of America shall consist of a red field with a white space extending horizontally through the center, and equal in width to one-third the width of the flag. The red space above and below to be the same width as the white. The union blue extending down through the white space and stopping at the lower red space. In the center of the union a circle of white stars corresponding in number with the States of the Confederacy.” Variations of the flag range from seven to fifteen stars, representing states that seceded or attempted to secede from the Union.
Similarities between the 1st National flag and the United States flag often caused confusion on the battlefield, particularly when draped around a flagpole.
This 1st National flag was sent to the family of Colonel William S. Brooks during the Civil War. Colonel Brooks fought with the 1st Iowa Infantry at the Battle of Wilson’s Creek. At the end of his 90-day enlistment he joined the 19th Iowa Infantry, and fought at the Battle of Prairie Grove, Arkansas on December 7, 1862. While serving as colonel of the 56th United States Colored Infantry, Brooks was killed during a skirmish at Wallace’s Ferry near Helena, Arkansas on July 26, 1864.
Colonel Brooks’ family are unsure as to where, when and how he obtained the flag.
Image Courtesy Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield; WICR 11437
