The Origin of the Bonnie Blue Flag

The Bonnie Blue Flag has a unique Southern Heritage of its own both in origin and symbolism. It all started in September 1810 in the Republic of West Florida, which included parts of the present day states of Florida, Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana. At this time the Republic of West Florida was flying a flag which used a single, white, five pointed star on a field of blue which symbolized fellowship. During this time the US government was encouraging the American landowners in this republic too rebel against Spain who had control over this frontier area, thus making it a symbol of rebelling. Well, we all know what happened to this republic on the frontier, much like another republic a few years later that took up the lone star and won her own independence. That's right, the Republic of Texas.

In February of 1861, several southern states that had seceded from the Union met in Montgomery, Alabama and formed the Confederate States of America. That day Jefferson Davis was elected President and at the convention a large flag with a single white star on a field of blue was raised as both a symbol of fellowship amongst the seceding states and rebellion against the Union. Upon the unfurling of this flag a preceding officer waved it with the exclamation, "The Bonnie Blue," which was followed by a shout from the other delegates and citizens in the audience of "Hurrah, for the Bonnie Blue Flag". In the audience, Harry McCarthy, a traveling showman, who was so inspired by the thrilling moment that he wrote the rousing song "The Bonnie Blue Flag." Soon an official flag (the Stars and Bars) was adopted for the Confederacy however the Bonnie Blue, though never officially adopted, remained popular throughout and after the war because of the song. The stirring marching song was extremely popular in the South, rivaling "Dixie" as the unofficial Confederate anthem. Union General Benjamin "Beast" Butler, in Federal occupied New Orleans, outlawed playing the music or singing the song. Eleven varied editions of the song had been printed before the end of the war.

The Bonnie Blue Flag was popular among the Confederate veterans after the war. There are countless articles listed in the old issues of "The Confederate Veteran", of United Confederate Veteran camps being presented with the flag by townspeople, etc. Many Sons fly the Bonnie Blue today just as our ancestors did -- a symbol of fellowship to family, friend, and acquaintances and a symbol of rebellion to those who choose to deny us of our proud heritage.