Historic Civil War Flag Collection | Behind-the-Scenes Look

Join us for a behind-the-scenes tour of the Civil War Flag collection at the Mississippi Department of Archives & History. Historic Confederate flags are shown in various stages of preservation.
The next time you visit Mississippi on a history trip be sure to check out all of the sites that Jackson has to offer!
Mississippi Department of Archives and History: www.mdah.ms.gov/
Museum of Mississippi History: mmh.mdah.ms.gov/
The American Battlefield Trust preserves America’s hallowed battlegrounds and educates the public about what happened there and why it matters. We permanently protect these battlefields for future generations as a lasting and tangible memorial to the brave soldiers who fought in the American Revolution, the War of 1812, and the Civil War.

[@AmericanBattlefieldTrust]

For more, be sure to re-visit our Vicksburg 160 Tour Series!: kzbin.info/aero/PLZrhqv_T1O1uHBAJ5iKIub87d63csoIJX

[@wirelessone2986]

Maybe on display?

[@fishinglunkies3629]

I gotta fever, and the only prescription is, MORE FLAGS!!!

[@BlueEyedColonizer]

Dang it! I got one too. Must be going around😂😂

[@BostonSmitty]

🤣 hahahahaha

[@bigsarge2085]

Hahaha, beat me to it! 😄

[@jackcordle4930]

If Paul Stanley was a historian

[@marissaawesome2422]

A flag of cow bells..😂

[@oreally8605]

As a Black American i gotta say, no way, should those flags be destroyed. They are American history. They should always be preserved. Just like the statues.

[@michaelsullivan2554]

Thank you for that. Slavery has always been an abomination wherever he has existed anywhere in the world.. unfortunately it still exists today in many forms. Socialism and communism from art tyrannical government in the United States today is

[@SCVCHAT]

Big shout out to the Mississippi Division Sons of Confederate Veterans who have donated close to 250,000 dollars to flag preservation.

[@LucyFeissner-ud6cx]

TY !

[@bombazero2852]

Perseverance of history regardless of cause. I support that.

[@hokehinson5987]

Many years ago while performing a timeline living history event in Kennesaw, Georgia we met a very kind older gentleman who we camped next to. This reenactor had a very smart authentic kit which included a blue belgian mule! The main theme of his display was battle flags. This gentleman reproduced confederate battle flags full sized from original type fabrics, all hand sewn using correct stitch techniques, coloring on cloth and edging. His portfolio was superb as were the display flags which he had on hand. His prices were top shelf but every flag produced was thoroughly researched & recreated to perfection. That event was top notch. Listed as one of the most enjoyable living history events we attended. A plus was it was very close to the railroad museum which was enjoyed by reenactors & tourists. Sadly, as usual big money wins out. The land used for the event was sold off and later the hobby fell out of favor....now the only impression for me is an old man or a corpse...🤣

[@timhyde5677]

I almost didnt watch this video since I prefer on the battlefield videos, but man I'm so glad I watched. It is so cool seeing these flags. Thank you for presenting these to us

[@JeffL-rj1xq]

Thank you Kris, ABT, and everyone at the Mississippi Department of Archives & History for sharing these invaluable artifacts, and all the work the museum does to curate, preserve and present their collections.

[@waltw4537]

So glad so many flags are still extant. Very enjoyable. Thanks.

[@RRM13]

Hello from an ACW buff from Brazil 🇧🇷🇧🇷🇧🇷.

[@johnresto1603]

NJ state archives has an amazing collection of civil war flags. They do a rotating exhibit every six months.

[@wirelessone2986]

Thats cool NJ does that

[@williamcanfield2889]

Fascinating and another example of the mission of the Trust to preserve and explain our history. Thank you so much.

[@liberalman8319]

@@blondjonthey seem more proud this pos flag than the USA 🇺🇸 flag. Can you name a single country that allows a traitors to fly treason flags after the rebellion was 100 percent crushed. They should be embarrassed to fly it for either being a traitor or just getting their butts kicked so bad.

[@farpointgamingdirect]

​@@blondjonCan't imagine anything more unpatriotic than a keyboard commando living in mom's basement lecture veterans about patriotusm.

[@melgillham462]

​@@blondjonso you're a Karen looking for a place to happen... weird stance.

[@johnp9402]

Really cool when Chris recognized where that labeled flag came from

[@johnp9402]

@@amytaylor21395 I'm trying to. God bless you as well

[@johnp9402]

@@amytaylor21395 the people's Republic of WA lol

[@austinking3434]

HIGHLY recommend the Pennsylvania Civil War Battle Flag Education Center in Harrisburg PA. Freaturing over 400 flags from PA regiments. It was an incredible visit.

[@wirelessone2986]

Omg 400!!From one state?!Thats just the ones they posses...so that should me there were thousands across the war

[@gregbiggs5674]

WD 3 is indeed the 18th Mississippi Infantry's flag.

[@mwblackbelt]

Amazing that there are people who can put those flags back together

[@michaeldouglas1243]

Outstanding video. Chris white, you knowledge with those little extra tid bits about individual soldiers accounts and little facts is amazing. I could listen to those all day long. I have been meaning to post you about this. Great work

[@browngreen933]

I'm a Northerner, but love Confederate flags.😊

[@michaelratliff9449]

Your a Rebel at ❤...Rebel Yell!..👍🥁

[@chiefslinginbeef3641]

It is sad that it's being reviled the way it is these days. I've lived all over the country and it was never treated in such a way until lately bc they can use it politically to "other" much of the country.

[@browngreen933]

@@chiefslinginbeef3641 True. Rabid hatred of everything Confederate is a recent development.

[@shable1436]

It's stupid to erase history like that in order to try to cover something up that happened. The only thing I can say is I'm white from VA, and when growing up and moved to Atlanta after graduation, to move to visit my father, I saw stone mountain, and the Confederate carvings on the side of the mountain. I felt an uneasy feeling of Southern worshipping that was uncalled for in current times, but I realized that it was done in a generation where the white Southern ppl were still proud, and loved in revisionists history, because the feds left them alone for the most part. I felt bad for black ppl that had to look at the Confederate representation on that mountain, like to keep the rebel spirit alive, which was a huge thing, there was always a call of the south will rise again since the civil war, and it was taken seriously, I traveled all over the south and this isn't my imagination, but prominent white men really used the good old boy system to do this. I hated this coming from my hillbilly state, and being young, all I could do was think, one day you old fks will see that everything has changed, and us young men aren't racist like you and your grandfathers were, and made you

[@jberry1982]

I'm glad u said it cuz I've always thought the Confederate flags the most since I was a young little kid they are beautiful

[@scottybell7661]

There is fascinating civil war museum in New Orleans too

[@AmericanBattlefieldTrust]

Indeed. We have made several videos there.

[@Rene.Rondeau]

Truly fascinating presentation. Thank you so much for sharing such important historic artifacts.

[@josephsmith742]

Wow! The only word I can find when I see a collection like this.

[@jimrutherford2773]

Love these kinds of videos. War relics of any kind suites me fine.

[@abrushwithhistory]

Thank you for making this video! I love seeing the original Artifacts! Especially uniforms and flags! The New York State Military Museum in Saratoga Springs New York has an AMAZING collection of Civil War flags and Uniforms. Would be great to see you do a video from there at some point.

[@AmericanBattlefieldTrust]

We're heading up to Saratoga next year and will definitely keep it in mind!

[@abrushwithhistory]

@@AmericanBattlefieldTrust Awesome! 👍They have some original uniforms from the 14th Brooklyn. Would be really cool if you showed those.

[@NotOnDrugs]

i'm in eastern NC & have an ORIGINAL confederate flag. do y'all buy them? I'm not "donating" anything lol@@AmericanBattlefieldTrust

[@lowellwhite1603]

I haven’t been to Mississippi since the 1980’s. I remember back in the 1960’s, when I was a teenager, I visited the Old Capitol Museum in Jackson. They had some flags and artifacts on display.

[@SPIDERMURPHY-np8bj]

*_I'm A Proud Grandson Of The Southland -- An Heir To The Confederacy_*

[@bipslone8880]

Why would you be proud?

[@williamolenick7798]

Love the displays and works they are doing. 😂 love the SW reference.!!

[@Alex-ej4wm]

I always wondered where all the battle flags were, now I know. Very informative video (thumbs up emoji)

[@MorganLemmons62]

Had ancestors in the 33rd Mississippi!!! Great video as always!

[@MorganLemmons62]

@@amytaylor21395 Yes, hoping you are too!

[@TheCombatartist]

You need to go to the Wisconsin Veterans Museum and look at their remarkably conserved Union/Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry flag collection.

[@robertholmberg6485]

My ancestors fought with a Wisconsin volunteer infantry unit out of Hartford, and with the 1st Wisconsin Heavy Artillery

[@MichaelMcKinnon-jf1yy]

The red that he was referring to with the reel band opposite the Battle Ensign on the 2nd National Pattern (that's the flag it was pointed out on) would have been the 3rd National Pattern Confederate flag, I have an interest in historic flags because of their beauty

[@Edge1775]

Thank you for what you folks do.! God bless.

[@terryeustice5399]

Kris a great video on these Flags. Thank you for sharing! 💯👍

[@michaelhoffman5348]

Excellent Museum tour of Southern flags. As a transplant to Florida, I'll make sure to get up there soon!

[@michaelhoffman5348]

@@amytaylor21395 Yes I am. Thank you :) .

[@michaelhoffman5348]

@@amytaylor21395 The Villages in Florida - originally from PA then to OH now here. You?

[@guywgane3]

What a great collection! The variety of art that goes into each flag is just *chefs kiss* 🤌🏼

[@bigsarge2085]

Incredible.

[@jackdupont1883]

Proud descendant of 2nd Lt William Franklin Spence. Fought under the third flag until it was taken by them Yankees!

[@RavenGent]

Amazing!! These preservation people do a good job reserving both Union and Confederate flags. At a recent Civil War reenactment I was taking part in I was shown a Philip Sheridan staff flag, that belongs to one of his descendants who was in the reenactment with us. The flag was perfectly preserved.

[@wirelessone2986]

WOW

[@johnbivins]

Thank you for preserving history and thank you for sharing!

[@shawncordner7026]

The Alabama state archives also has a huge collection of confederate flags but last time I was there I had to ask to see them.

[@wirelessone2986]

Thats too bad..Ive seen artifacts in museums go home with staff...when you get around that area ALWAYS ask to see them

[@justgoofingoff]

My GGG grandfathers (William Scott Hall, Co. E) regimental flag, 19th Va, used to be in the Gettysburg museum. It was cool to see that hanging there.

[@lmlm_]

Amazing to see the handmade variety. ❤🇺🇸

[@derekrupert2013]

Dude, the “your not the droid I’m looking for” got me. 😅

[@rebelscumspeedshop]

When I see these flags from battles that I know one of my grandfathers fought I can't help but think there is a good chance that his eyes fell on this very flag.

[@BigMrFirebird]

Traditionally, flags through the ages were only unfurled in the face of the enemy as an act of defiance, or on ceremonial. Examples of flags I once made can be found on YT, "War Walks" Battle of Bosworth 1485.

[@Ugly_German_Truths]

Not much defiance involved, the flag was an important battlefield signal for troop movements. Bascially even if you did not see or hear your officers and sergeants, where the flag goes YOU go.

[@BigMrFirebird]

@@Ugly_German_Truths I did say through the ages, which includes well before the USA was established. Also, there are examples when troops were told not to follow the flag, in order to deceive the enemy of their whereabouts.

[@graceerhart5796]

fantastic flags! I would be very interested in getting there some day; my great uncle was serving in the Chicago Mercantile Battery at the Siege of Jackson

[@machinistmikethetinkerer4827]

Great vid. I've seen the 28th Virginia battle flag up close. Amazing history, that one. It starts with it still residing in MN to this day...

[@baystateplugflipper7061]

Excellent!!

[@Flamingtorso]

I am amazed the usual's haven't burned this entire interesting collection.

[@jamestregler1584]

Missippi gave so many men , such a loss !

[@LucyFeissner-ud6cx]

... and continued to sacrifice black americans - from ( attempting ) 'Reconstruction' until ad 2023 ... Heaven help us ALL 🥀

[@bipslone8880]

Gave so many men fighting to own human beings.... no loss to humanity

[@MickeyJWind]

the 19th ms cav battallian was captured at CARMAGO crossroads, not Brice's Crossroads. They were present at Brice's, but that is not where the flag was lost. things did not go as well for Forrest at Carmago.

[@minermikesouthernusa4017]

Great video and very informative I had no idea they still existed in that number. My ancestors served 31st co A and 51st co D NC troops. Now curious if any of their flags still exists 🤔

[@chiefslinginbeef3641]

They'll eventually be destroyed......

[@wirelessone2986]

​@@chiefslinginbeef3641so will your house and cars

[@beverlyreiner-baillargeon6205]

What a wonderful video and very, very interesting

[@richardbradfield7437]

Is there a museum of all the Union battle flags captured by the Confederate Army? There should be many.

[@wirelessone2986]

Well at the surrender they would have gotten them back

[@johntiquet4778]

AWESOME! 🇺🇸

[@gregbiggs5674]

The 18th Mississippi's flag is imported wool bunting for the red field and blue cross with polished cotton stars and white fimbration. The white borders are wool bunting as well and the hoist edge is cotton canvas.

[@AmericanBattlefieldTrust]

Greg Biggs is here! Honored. GA

[@gregbiggs5674]

I posted as well on the video on the Miss. Museum and the 2nd Mississippi's flag.

[@davidringo1399]

Very good.........

[@44thala49]

I had no idea that this was in Jackson. I’ll definitely be making the trip this fall.

[@NickyB0718]

Very interesting video thank you

[@Wentz789]

Well I enjoyed gentlemen

[@mike6764]

Thanks!

[@AmericanBattlefieldTrust]

Thanks Mike!

[@mrliberty8468]

Hi and welcome to FUN WITH FLAGS!!!!

[@maureendiver8970]

Ithink all together “ That that Civil War was really crazy . I don’t even realize “ Why “ did they fight. All those men at that time died for nothing that was going to be important to do . They should of just had a vote of the saving the slaves.

[@sterlingmoose9335]

Where do I find the flag collection in the two websites listed in the notes?

[@ericdebries8760]

The canton is correctly referred to as the Southern Cross or the Army of Northern Virginia Battle Flag NOT the Stars and Bars!

[@carywest9256]

The Stars and Bars reference is the whole First National Flags of the Confederacy.

[@stubstoo6331]

@@carywest9256 there's many pre national flags of the Confederacy. My favorite is from my state the Bonnie blue.

[@KillrMillr7]

Also known as the St Andrew cross.

[@RayBecker]

I would love to pose a question to a Scholar of The Civil War and/or a Constitutional Scholar: Nine of thirteen States were required in order to Ratify the Constitution in 1788. Two of the nine States were Georgia and South Carolina. When the eleven Southern States including Georgia and S. Carolina left the Union, what became of those two votes? Are those Ratifications abandoned or Vacated? When the Southern States left the Union, they in fact formed their own Central Government CSA. I would argue that the Civil War was NOT a Civil War; it was a shooting War between two Nation States. I think the distinction is very important as it relates to the Original, now defunct Constitutional Republic. I say Defunct because of the loss of the two Ratifications and then a series of events which further reinforce my position. Dec. 1865 The US Congress refused to Seat Members from ten Southern States. This was because of the 14th Amendment, which has some defects (it makes ALL persons born in the US Citizens of the US, not of their States). In reality, ten Southern States were busted up into five Military Districts with each State Government dissolved in favor of Union Generals and Carpetbaggers from the North. When a Federal Government can eliminate State Governments at the point of a gun, there is no longer a Constitution in force. This was followed by The DC Act of 1871, The Federal Reserve Act, the 16th and 17th Amendments. This is hardly the stuff of Conspiracy Theories; it is Historical and Factual. And, it is never taught in schools or Universities. To sum up my position: The Original Constitutional Republic saw it's apex during the Administration of Andrew Jackson. Since Buchanan, events have occurred which I hold to be destructive of the Republic. When Congress punted the power to Mint the Money or when States lost the US Senate, there really is no Rule of Law as the Founders had established. In fact, when you hear a Member of Congress state that "this Democracy" or words to that effect, they are technically correct. This Nation has become what the Founding Fathers were trying to avoid; two wolves and a sheep voting on what's for dinner. I have yet to engage one person to debate me on the points above. In order for us to know exactly what is happening now, we must look at History. The Good, the Bad and even the Ugly. We DO NOT have the luxury of burying our heads in the sand. Everything that is wrong is by the Consent of The People. In the end, only The People bear the responsibility

[@ML-dz5ix]

You are correct.

[@hokehinson5987]

Oh wow! Finally a person who hasn't swallowed the red pill. I commend you on your knowledge and also for having the courage to shout it out. We have been sharing the same message since 2007 but it mostly fall on indoctrinated ears. Materialism prosperity & idleness has been the bane of modern life. My beehive slouch hat is off, my hoary head bows to you.

[@threefiveseven]

Kentucky and Missouri left too.

[@abef.9085]

LONG LIVE THE SOUTH!!!!!

[@user-sw4dm1qj2x]

Nothing like old dixie

[@stephenellison2475]

Silk is actually a very sturdy fabric, in the period these flags were made commercial silk was sold by the pound not the yard. To maximize profits the silk was adulterated with chemicals that caused the degradation.

[@FlagAnthem]

❤❤❤

[@patriciafeehan7732]

In the introduction to John Adams they show all early revolutionary flags. A very dramatic introduction.

[@dhoover5480]

Missouri + Kentucky represent the 12th + 13th stars. Their leaders requested that Jefferson Davis allow them to join the cause, which he agreed to. The north essentially occupied these two slave states so heavily that they didn't recognize them as having seceded. And Lincoln offered big pay to men of these states to enlist. I have a confederate 3 dollar bill from Missouri, where my family lived since the 1830s + served with both the GAR + the CSA. A heartbreaking war that wouldn't have happened had the slaves been freed at the end of the Revolutionary War

[@Gr13fKvlt]

God bless The South.

[@mariocisneros911]

NOT THE GOVERNMENT

[@larrybarber]

Love the vlog😂

[@johnmorrison3340]

I was really hoping to see the Cherokee brave flag and the Choctaw brocade flag I'm also curious on if the museum go has Choctaw and a brave flag

[@michaelhoffman5348]

18:59 The canton of this flag is not the STARS and BARS, but the diagonal cross or the "Southern Cross". The Stars and Bars was the complete flag design of the original CSA national flag, as portrayed earlier in the video.

[@Legendary_UA]

I thought I was the only one to catch that.

[@ellonysman]

Thats cool! I recently returned from Newnan, Georgia and was dissapointed I never seen any civil war stuff anywhere. The closest was a tribute cemetary to the Brownsville Hospital I believe. Would love to comb the rivers for anything with a metal detector while diving. Have you any video's on the Coweta, Newnan, Senoia area of the civil war?

[@vm.999]

❤

[@gloriawilson3241]

When they roll the flag it is called furl the flag. That tradition is done today. The flag was only unfurled with engagements to identify the unit.

[@michaeldalton3456]

My Great, Great Grandfather served in the 19th Arkansas Infantry(Dockery's). He was at Vickburg. What did his regiment's flag look like?

[@bipslone8880]

I would hide this great shame

[@jamiedougherty29]

Was the Rankin Rocket from Rankin PA?

[@user-vh8vv7un9n]

Rankin County!! My kin fought outta Mississippi..16th MS. Co. H

[@leebird3270]

Are the archives being digitalized headed for servers we are battling to keep of sacred battlefield ground?

[@AmericanBattlefieldTrust]

Nothing to worry about. Data centers and museum servers are not the same.

[@leebird3270]

Thanks for the clarification. That's great news.

[@Wyliecoy0te]

I went to Jackson MS in 2019. I went to the museum but did not see that collection. What it not there at the time?

[@mwblackbelt]

Hi Kris. Hi Megan. Why did they make flags out of silk? Its more fragile and isn't it more expensive?

[@dustinneely]

Does Custer hold the Civil War record for the most captured flags?

[@dustinneely]

@@amytaylor21395 thank you. Blessings. 😉

[@dustinneely]

​@@amytaylor21395Ohio. Just went to the Monroe County Museum in Michigan a few days back. They got a pretty amazing General Custer collection.

[@jberry1982]

Long live the C.S.A

[@bertassellodavide1297]

Dixieland 💔

[@rebelscumspeedshop]

That droid joke had a bad motivator .

[@AmericanBattlefieldTrust]

😂 nice

[@marissaawesome2422]

I live in Luray va. I need to buy one of those Confederate flags. Bring her back home to Va.

[@wirelessone2986]

They arent for sale typically and if they were you would be shocked at the price especially confederate in good condition

[@marissaawesome2422]

@@wirelessone2986 I figure $8,000 to $30,000 id say

[@bettertruththanlie1075]

Potomak river actially exact Russian word- meaning a future closest your relative

[@markperrault5678]

We love confederate flags

[@toothlesszilla9982]

Poor flagy 😢

[@jacktheaviator4938]

I dont understand why they are not stored in an inert atmosphere, such as an argon pressurized cabinet. The natural fibre deteriorating is caused by oxidation and bacterial action, both of which could be stopped by inert gas.

[@Mimbanimperialofficer]

I’m wondering I have some civil war coins and three bullets from the battlefield of pickets charge would you guys be interested in them and they are not replicas I live right near Gettysburg

[@alejandromartinezgarcia6468]

España fundo estados unidos y es parte de su historia aunque muchas persona de estados unidos no quiera verlo españa fue el pais que globalizo el mundo y unio los dos continente y rutas comerciales se le merece un respeto y honores de por vida

[@wirelessone2986]

Spain under Columbus?

[@michaelmallal9101]

Think they're based on Scots flag. USSR Navy has a similar one too.

[@BadgerOfTheSea]

The really didn't think it through by making their flag white and having everyone assume they were surrendering

[@crawwwfishh3284]

💪🏻💪🏻💪🏻👍👍👍👍👌👌👌👌👌

[@MA-wo5gy]

OK so taking down statues but keeping flags?

[@wirelessone2986]

Taking down statues by mobs...hard to protect statues but buildings and museums arent in a town center waiting for a riot...a museum even full confederate items the cops would defend the building even over private property weird but true.

[@thevictoryoverhimself7298]

"Part of our job is digitizing the collection" Before they are forced to burn them in 3-5 years

[@julianG1212]

Dixie power