Confederate States of America - Bible Flag, 1861-1863.
Flags like this small, 11 star Confederate Flag are often referred to as bible flags. They were common to both Union and Confederate sides during the American Civil War. Often made for a soldier by a mother, wife, sweetheart or sister, these smaller flags were often carried by soldiers in pocket bibles as a reminder of loved ones at home. Slightly larger flags were used as bookmarks for passages of scripture in family bibles as a way to remember those serving at the front.

Religion was very meaningful to both sides, especially after 1863, when both the Union and the Confederacy underwent a religious revival and each began to liken their cause to a crusade. In the North the fight to free the slaves was added to the campaign to save the Union, while in the South it became a fight to defend hearths and altars. It is regrettable that the soldier or family with which this flag was associated is unknown, but the flag itself is symbolic of the religious fervor with which many Southern soldiers embraced the Lost Cause.

The flag, which is in its original frame, was probably captured by Richard W. Smith of Baltimore, the Union soldier whose US Army induction papers are framed on the reverse of the flag.

This flag, whose exact history is unknown, was formerly part of the collection of The Flag House & Star-Spangled Banner Museum. Founded in 1927, it is one of Baltimore's oldest museums open to the public. The Star-Spangled Banner Flag House Association, Inc. was dedicated to the story of Mary Young Pickersgill who made the large 30' x 42' Star-Spangled Banner that flew over Fort McHenry during the War of 1812 and inspired Francis Scott Key to write the poem that later became the United States National Anthem. Mary Pickersgill's flag still survives and now hangs at the Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of American History. As one of the earliest institutions dedicated to the study of flags, The Flag House & Star-Spangled Banner Museum also became a repository for flags from other eras, amassing one of the most impressive flag collections in the nation.

Interesting relic from the Civil War: a 'Bible' flag from the Confederate States of America. Framed, one side the flag the other side a Notice of Induction into the Federal Army from the Baltimore Provost Marshal's Office. Circa the flag 1861-63 the document 1864.

Exhibition History:
Chicago Meeting December, 2003
(ZFC0002)
11-Star Confederate States of America, First National Bible Flag

Provenance: Acquired by the Zaricor Flag Collection (ZFC0002) in 1996 from the Star-Spangled Banner Flag House Collection of Baltimore, MD.
Deaccessed at auction via Bonham's 21 November 2023, Auction #BOK23110NY, - 28447 -
Lot #102

ZFC Significant Flag
Item is Framed

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