Regimentalflags of The 3rd TEXAS Cavalry
1861-1865

The Bonnie Blue flag was the most popular of flags. It was a simple concept. The white star represented the state as it once was as a member of the United States. The taking of the star and placing it on a blue field came to symbolize secession by displaying the single star as the prominent device.This flag was adopted by North Carolina Mississippi and Texas. Later Louisiana followed the trend. The flag was sometimes flown upside down to further bring home the point of distress and rebellion

The first known flag of the3rd Texas Cavalry was made before the war by Mrs. John Robertson, Mrs. George Bates and Mrs. George Chilton in 1858. It was made for a local militia cavalry that was known as "The 3rd Texas Volunteer Cavalry." When the 3rd Texas Cavalry was formed in 1861 this flag was believed to be used for a short period of time. It size is 31/2 feet by 7 1/2 and is made of silk with a swallow tail design. The flag may have been too impractical for extended us and it resemble far too closely the stars and strips. It could have easily been confused in the heat of battle. This flag still exist today and is located at the Smith County Historical Society. This flag is said to also honor the Knights of the Golden circle, a Masonic organization.

The second known variation of the 3rd Texas Cavalry Regimental Flag was a variation of the 1st National flag of the Confederacy. It is 31 in by 72 inches and was probably the Regimental flag of the regiment. It was retired and sent back to Texas in 1862. It saw action at Oak Hill, Missouri, Elk Horn (Pea Ridge) Arkansas, and Farming, Mississippi. The 3rd Texas was then part of Ross' Cavalry Brigade along with the sixth, ninth and Twenty-seventh Texas Cavalry regiment. This flag still exits today and survives at the Smith County Historical Society in Tyler, Texas.

This is the 3rd variation of the 3rd Texas Cavalry Regimental Flag. This flag measures 421/2 inches by 52 inches. This flag is believed to have been used by the 3rd Texas Cavalry beginning in early 1864. The flag was probably inspired by General Joe Johnston who saw flags of Forrest's Cavalry and Polk's Command in early 1864. He ordered several produced but with smaller stars. The 3rd Texas Cavalry were probable influenced by that as they were fighting in Atlanta and elsewhere during this period. This flag now proudly rest in the Texas State Archives at the state capital in Austin, Texas. It has been fully restored and cased. It is said to be in reasonably good condition in the storage facilities.

The National Flags of the Confederate States of America

The First National flag (left) that was referred to as the stars and bars. In was officially adopted in March of 1861 and was the official national flag of the Confederacy until May of 1863.It was designed by Nicola Marshal of Alabama. When it was first adopted it had only seven stars as it represented the first seven states to secede. Later it was augmented with all 13 states of the Confederacy that were represented each by an individual star. During battles, with all the smoke and fog, it was sometimes confused with the stars and strips.

The Second National flag (center) was adopted in May of 1863 and was called the "Stainless Banner." It was used until April of 1865. It replaced the stars and bars because the original flags were too similar to the United State's Stars and Strips. The new Stainless banner was named such because of its plain white field. Its red canter was crisscrossed by a white edged dark blue saltire (Saint Andrew's Cross) emblazoned with the thirteen white stars. Unfortunately, when in calm weather it hung limp and was confused with a white flag of surrender.

The 3rd National Flag (right) was adopted in April of 1865.Reportedly, the 2nd flag, when lying still, with no wind to extend it, was mistaken for the white flag of surrender. Thus, a large red border was placed at the end so not to suggest any surrender was in the making. It saw almost no service during the war.