November 24, 1861 (Saturday): The Confederate Battle Flag

Beauregard's Battle Flag

SPECIAL ORDERS,
HDQRS. FIRST CORPS, ARMY OF POTOMAC,

Numbers 505. Near Centreville, November 24, 1861. 

I. All heavy baggage will be sent forthwith and placed in store at Camp Pickens, where it will properly secured and guarded; to which end division commanders will issue the necessary orders.
II. In the event of an action with the enemy, the new battle flag recently issued to the regiments of this army corps will alone be carried on the field. Meantime regimental commanders will accustom their men to the flag, so that they may became thoroughly acquainted with it. 

By command of General Beauregard: 



THOMAS JORDAN, 
Assistant Adjutant-General. 

Official Records, Series I., Vol. 5, Part 1, Page 969.

At Manassas Beauregard became keenly aware of the confusion between the flags of the United States and the Confederacy.  He desired regimental flags to be uniform, and with help from General Joseph Johnston and congressman William Porcher Miles, designed the Confederate battle flag featuring the now familiar Saint Andrews cross.  Although it was suggested Congress should adopt this as the national flag as well, this was never done.  Camp Pickens, mentioned here, occupied most of what is now the City of Manassas.