Changes

[[File:CSAbattleflag.png|thumb|200px|Confederate battle flag]]

[[File:CSAbattleflag.png|thumb|200px|Confederate battle flag]]

In 1861, Confederate General [[P.G.T. Beauregard]] proposed changing the first official Confederate flag due to its similarity with the Union flag.<ref name="sonofthesouth.net"/> After the Confederate government rejected his idea, he then proposed instituting two official flags: the national flag that was already in use, and a battle flag.<ref name="sonofthesouth.net"/> This idea was accepted, and a battle flag was chosen.<ref name="sonofthesouth.net"/> This flag was known as the '''Southern Cross''' and closely resembled a previous contestant for the first official Confederate flag<ref name="sonofthesouth.net"/> designed by [[William Porcher Miles]].<ref name="PBSNewsHour"/> The flag became popular among the Confederate Army and the general population.<ref name="sonofthesouth.net"/> The Southern Cross is also known as the battle flag of the [[Army of Northern Virginia]], commanded by [[Robert E. Lee]].<ref name="sonofthesouth.net"/> Unlike the Confederate flag most used today, the Battle Flag was square-shaped rather than rectangular.<ref name="usflag.org"/><ref name="sonofthesouth.net"/>

In 1861, Confederate General [[P.G.T. Beauregard]] proposed changing the first official Confederate flag due to its similarity with the Union flag.<ref name="sonofthesouth.net"/> After the Confederate government rejected his idea, he then proposed instituting two official flags: the national flag that was already in use, and a battle flag.<ref name="sonofthesouth.net"/> This idea was accepted, and a battle flag was chosen.<ref name="sonofthesouth.net"/> This flag was known as the '''Southern Cross''' and closely resembled a previous contestant for the first official Confederate flag<ref name="sonofthesouth.net"/> designed by William Porcher Miles.<ref name="PBSNewsHour"/> The flag became popular among the Confederate Army and the general population.<ref name="sonofthesouth.net"/> The Southern Cross is also known as the battle flag of the [[Army of Northern Virginia]], commanded by [[Robert E. Lee]].<ref name="sonofthesouth.net"/> Unlike the Confederate flag most used today, the Battle Flag was square-shaped rather than rectangular.<ref name="usflag.org"/><ref name="sonofthesouth.net"/>

In addition, numerous other flags used by the C.S.A. and by different regiments of the army.<ref name="sonofthesouth.net"/> The number of stars on the official flags changed as more states joined the Confederacy.

In addition, numerous other flags used by the C.S.A. and by different regiments of the army.<ref name="sonofthesouth.net"/> The number of stars on the official flags changed as more states joined the Confederacy.