The “Bonnie Blue Flag” (also known as the "Lone Star Flag") is often linked to the Confederacy. However, the flag had its origins long before any southern state seceded from the Union. The first recorded use of this flag was in 1810 when it was used to represent the Republic of West Florida, a republic of English speaking inhabitants of southern Alabama, Mississippi, and portions of Louisiana east of the Mississippi River who rebelled against the reign of Spanish government and overthrew Spain’s provincial Governor de Lassus at Baton Rouge. The republic lasted barely three months, dissolved after the annexation of Louisiana’s portion of the disputed land to the United States territory. (1)
Next to "Dixie's Land," perhaps no other song was as well loved by the Confederate soldier as "The Bonnie Blue Flag." Written by Harry Macarthy (1834-1888) and sung to the old Irish tune "The Irish Jaunting Car," the song lays out the order of secession of the States that went on to form the Confederacy. The first flag of the Confederacy was a single white star on a blue background. This song, especially popular in the South during the early years of the war, counts out the eleven seceding states one by one. (2)
In May 1862, Union forces entered New Orleans and the city became one of the first occupied territories in the South during the Civil War. From May to December 1862, General Benjamin Butler ruled over the city. His legacy is marked by his severe social policies. General Order No. 40 states that “Any person who has in his possession...any property of any kind or description whatever, of the so-called Confederate States...shall be liable to imprisonment and to have his property confiscated.” With this order, owning or singing one of the most popular songs of the period became an act of treason. Arrest records from New Orleans papers reveal that men and women were regularly arrested for singing “Bonnie Blue Flag,” and were charged with a range of penalties, from a fine to time in the workhouse to a full pardon. (3)
The Bonnie Blue Flag (4)
by Harry McCartyWe are a band of brothers, and native to the soil
Fighting for our liberty, with treasure, blood, and toil,
And when our rights were threatened, the cry rose near and far
Hurrah for the Bonnie Blue Flag that bears the single star
[chorus] Hurrah! Hurrah! for southern rights Hurrah!
Hurrah for the Bonnie Blue Flag that bears a single star
As long as the Union was faithful to her trust,
Like friends and like bretheren, kind we were and just
But now when northern treachery attempts our rights to mar
We hoist on high the Bonnie Blue Flag that bears a single star
[chorus] Hurrah! Hurrah! for southern rights Hurrah!
Hurrah for the Bonnie Blue Flag that bears a single star
First, gallant South Carolina nobly made the stand,
Then came Alabama, who took her by the hand
Next, quickly Mississippi, Georgia and Florida
All raised on high the Bonnie Blue Flag that bears the single star
[chorus] Hurrah! Hurrah! for southern rights Hurrah!
Hurrah for the Bonnie Blue Flag that bears a single star
Ye men of valor gather round the Banner of the Right,
Texas and Louisiana, join us in the fight
Davis, our loved President, and Stephens, statemen rare
Now rally round the Bonnie Blue Flag that bears the single star
[chorus] Hurrah! Hurrah! for southern rights Hurrah!
Hurrah for the Bonnie Blue Flag that bears a single star
And here's to brave Virginia! The Old Dominion State
With the young Confederacy at length has linked her fate
Impelled by her example, now other States prepare
To hoist on high the Bonnie Blue Flag that bears a single star
[chorus] Hurrah! Hurrah! for southern rights Hurrah!
Hurrah for the Bonnie Blue Flag that bears a single star
Then cheer boys, raise the joyous shout
For Arkansas and North Carolina now have both gone out
And let another rousing cheer for Tenneessee be given
The single star of the Bonnie Blue Flag has grown to be eleven
[chorus] Hurrah! Hurrah! for southern rights Hurrah!
Hurrah for the Bonnie Blue Flag that bears a single star
Then here's to our Confederacy, strong we are and brave
Like patriots of old, we'll fight our heritage to save
And rather than submit to shame, to die we would prefer,
So cheer for the Bonnie Blue Flag that bears the single star
[chorus] Hurrah! Hurrah! for southern rights Hurrah!
Hurrah for the Bonnie Blue Flag that bears a single star
References
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