The Bonnie Blue Flag, a single white star on a blue field, was the flag of the short-lived Republic of West Florida.[1] In September 1810, settlers in the Spanish territory of West Florida revolted against the Spanish government and proclaimed an independent republic. The Bonnie Blue Flag was raised at the Spanish fort in Baton Rouge on September 23, 1810. On December 6, 1810, West Florida was annexed by the United States and the republic ceased to exist, after a life of 74 days.[1]
Influence on Texas flag
In 1836, The Bonnie Blue served as the inspiration for the first flag of the Republic of Texas, known as the Burnet Flag.[citation needed] It was replaced in 1839 by the currently used Lone Star Flag, which also bears a single star.
[edit] Civil War usage
The Bonnie Blue Flag was first used by the Republic of West Florida when they declared their independence from Spain.[1] The original territory of West Florida was divided up among four Southern states: Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida. When Mississippi seceded from the Union on January 9, 1861, as a sign of independence, the Bonnie Blue Flag was raised over the capitol building in Jackson. On January 26, 1861, Mississippi officially adopted a new flag, which included the Bonnie Blue Flag in its canton and a magnolia tree in its center field (known as the Magnolia Flag). This flag remained in use until 1894. An Ulster immigrant named Harry McCarthy was present, and later wrote The Bonnie Blue Flag ("bonnie" being a Scottish word meaning "beautiful") which became a popular marching song, and led to the flag being used as an unofficial flag of the Confederate States of America during the Civil War. Typically, the refrain is:
-
-
- Hurrah! Hurrah!
- For Southern Rights, Hurrah!
- Hurrah for the Bonnie Blue Flag
- That bears a Single Star!
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The Bonnie Blue Flag holds special significance to the Texas brigade.[citation needed] The song was premiered by lyricist Harry Macarthy during a concert in Jackson, Mississippi, in the spring of 1861 and performed again in September of that same year at the New Orleans Academy of Music for the First Texas Volunteer Infantry regiment mustering in celebration. The New Orleans music publishing house of A. E. Blackmar issued six editions of The Bonnie Blue Flag between 1861 and 1864 along with three additional arrangements. The tune was so popular that Union General Benjamin Butler was said to have arrested and fined Blackmar for daring to publish it.
General Longstreet writes in his memoirs: "My mind was relieved by information that my resignation was accepted, to take effect on the 1st of June 1861. In our travel next day we crossed the line into the State of Texas. From the gloomy forebodings of old friends, it seemed at El Paso that we had entered into a different world. All was enthusiasm and excitement, and songs of "Dixie and the South" were borne upon the balmy air. But the Texas girl did not ascend to a state of incandescent charm until the sound of the first notes of The Bonny Blue Flag reached her ear. Then her feet rose in gleeful springs, her limbs danced, her hands patted, her eyes glowed, her lips moved, though she did not care to speak, or listen to any one. She seemed lifted in the air, thrilled and afloat, holding to the 'Single Star' in joyful hope of Southern rights."[citation needed]
[edit] Current usage
Today, the flag flies in most of the Florida Parishes of Louisiana, and is used on road signs along Interstate 12, which has been designated the "Republic of West Florida Parkway."
HMGS-South uses the flag in reference to the organization's location and appreciation of history especially for activities related to miniature wargaming.
A nearly identical yet unrelated flag, portraying a single star on a blue field, is normally displayed during U.S. military ceremonies indicating the presence of a United States Navy rear admiral (lower half) or an Air Force brigadier general. Marine Corps or Army general officers display a similar flag with a red background and an appropriate number of white stars corresponding to their rank (brigadier general, one star; major general, two stars; lieutenant general, three stars; general, four stars). These flags are generally displayed separately from the United States flag by means of attachment to a secondary flag staff. Smaller flags for Army generals are also known as "personal" flags and are displayed in their office spaces.[2]
The Bonnie Blue Flag is also nearly identical that of Somalia, whose Somalia is a lighter shade of blue, with a smaller star.
[edit] Popular culture
In the 1936 novel by Margaret Mitchell and the 1939 film Gone with the Wind, Rhett Butler decides to call his newborn daughter "Bonnie Blue Butler" when Melanie Wilkes remarks that her eyes are "as blue as the Bonnie Blue Flag."[3]
In the 2003 movie Gods and Generals, the ode to the Bonnie Blue Flag is sung in front of the Confederate Army.
In the 2005 movie Sahara, a Confederate ironclad warship is said to be steaming up the Niger River under a "banner of a single star," likely a reference to the Bonnie Blue Flag.
The tune has also been used often for over 30 years by NFL Films
Popular rocker Billy Idol, named his daughter Bonnie Blue.
The Bonnie Blue Flag
We are a band of brothers and native to the soil,
Fighting for the property we gained by honest toil;
And when our rights were threatened, the cry rose near and far,
"Hurrah for the Bonnie Blue Flag that bears a single star!"
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 brothers both kind were we 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.
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 a single star.
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 fair Louisiana join us in the fight;
Davis, our loved president, and Stephens statesman are,
Now rally round the Bonnie Blue Flag that bears a single star.
Hurrah! Hurrah! For Southern rights hurrah!
Hurrah for the Bonnie Blue Flag that bears a single star.
And here's to old Virginia, the Old Dominion State,
Who 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.
Hurrah! Hurrah! For Southern rights hurrah!
Hurrah for the Bonnie Blue Flag that bears a single star.
Then cheer, boys, cheer, raise the joyous shout,
For Arkansas and North Carolina now have both gone out;
And let another rousing cheer for Tennessee be given,
The single star of the Bonnie Blue Flag has grown to be eleven.
Hurrah! Hurrah! For Southern rights hurrah!
Hurrah for the Bonnie Blue Flag that bears a single star.
Then here's to our Confederacy, strong are we 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 a single star.
Hurrah! Hurrah! For Southern rights hurrah!
Hurrah for the Bonnie Blue Flag that bears a single star.
