The Lone Star Flag 1861
State Flag - 1861
Secession Flag - 1861
After the flag of the United States was hauled Down at the Pensacola Navy Yard on January 12, 1861, Colonel William H. Chase, commanding the Florida troops, prescribed a secession flag to serve until another could be degreed by the lawmakers at Tallahassee. This flag had thirteen stripes; alternate red and white, and a blue field with a single large star in the center.
This flag served for eight months, from January 13, 1861 to September 13, 1861. Interestingly, Colonel Chase's lone star flag was the same design as the flag used by the Republic of Texas navy in 1836 - 1845.
Information for this artlcle was handcrafted using the Florida Handbook from 1987 to 1988 by Charles B. Walters as written by Allen Morris. Page 247.
After Florida left the Union on January 11, 1861, a number of unoffical flags flew until the General Assembly (Legislature) completed action on February 1 on an act to provide a State uniform and flag. The act directed by the Governor, "by and with the consent with the consent of his staff." to adopt " an appropriate device for a State flag, which shall be distinctive in character ." Six months later, Governor Madison S. Perry had the Secretary of State record the description of the flag adopted in compliance with this act. Govenor Perry added, "The flag has been depoisted in the Executive Chamber." Whether it ever was raised over the Capitol or elsewhere does not appear from available records.
Information for this artlcle was handcrafted using the Florida Handbook from 1987 to 1988 by Charles B. Walters as written by Allen Morris. Page 247.
"The ladies of Broward's Neck," a community in Duval County, presented Governor Madison S. Perry with a flag of their design symbolizing Florida's withdrawal from the Union. The flag, never offically adopted, thus was proffered as a emblem of Florida as a sovereign nation. Governor- elect John Milton presented the the flag to the Florida Secession Convention at Tallahassee in 1861 after signing of the Ordinance of Secession.
The stars represent South Carolina, Mississippi, and Florida, the first three states to leave the Union. Mrs. G.E. Ginder, great- niece of one of the ladies of Broward's Neck, in an interview in the Florida Times-Union in 1961, said the flag was displayed on the rostrum of the House of Represenatives at the Capitol in Tallahassee during the Civil War.
Afterwards, it was displayed at the Confederate Museum in Richmond, Virginia, until it was returned to Florida in 1961 and deposited in the State Archives.
Information for this artlcle was handcrafted using the Florida Handbook from 1987 to 1988 by Charles B. Walters as written by Allen Morris. Page 247.
Copyright © 1987 by Allen Morris,
From Allen Morris, 1987-88, Florida Handbook
Copyright © 1998 Sons of Confederate Veterans, Florida Division, Inc.
