Tag: Confederate States of America

Prussian Knot - Colonel Confederate Hate!

CSA: Gifted Cap & T-Shirt! (26.4.2026)

Yesterday, I received a replica “kapi” hat with the rank of “Colonel” signified by the gold braid and Prussian-knot. I do not understand these ranks but assume that it has something to do with the German participation in the American Civil War. On top of this I am wearing a grey T-Shirt that humorously records all the battles fought by General Robert E Lee as he guided the Army of Northern Virginia in and out of the Northern (Federal) States. It is a historically accurate list with one or two battles I have not heard of before. The Confederate States is a fascinating time in US history and much of it is obscured and/or misrepresented. British military historians tend to be more level-headed about the reality of the Confederate States and the reasons it fought against the North.

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Dead Confederate sharpshooters of Hood's Division among the rocks in Devil's Den in front of Little Round Top.

CSA: Remembering the Bravery of “Irish” Company “K” – 15th Alabama – Little Round-Top [2.7.1863] – Gettysburg! (3.4.2025)

The weather was hot – and the Confederates had to advance over open ground before storming an inclined slope (in the form of a steep hill) – with the intention of sweeping the Federals off its top and consolidating the victory. The previous day had seen the Confederates sweep the Federals out of West and Central Gettysburg – and into the hills to its East. Washington was just 80 miles to the South – and legend has it that Lincoln was packing his belongings to flee! I have audio-typed part of a chapter from Stephen Sears’ book – carefully reproducing the text from an Audible edition (in my native British English). This provides a general background to the battle – but does not mention the Irish specifically – other than one or two fighting for the Union. For the story of “Company K” of the 15th Alabama Regiment of the Confederate States of America (CSA) – we must turn to the excellent work of Phillip Thomas Tucker – who has produced an excellent book examining the contribution to the Confederate cause made by the Irish!

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CSA Navy Department

Confederate States of America [1861-1865] – Evolution of Flags! (24.11.2024)

Flags, or “Banners” – have been used for thousands of years – in one form or another, to distinguish one group of humans from another. Each such entity conveys “difference” of intent and identity. Each flag is designed to gather together those who “belong” – and “push-away” those who do not. Like the tribal body-markings of the Celts and Picts, each piece of material containing pictures and coloured sections serve as an identifier of “sameness” and a marker of “difference”. As the “Confederate” States of America (CSA) viewed itself as the “true” and “genuine” conveyor of the authentic 1776 “Revolution” – the flags chosen to represent this reality were similar to – but different from – the “Stars and Stripes” as carried by the “United States” of America (USA). There were many “unofficial” flags flown by the citizens and military of the Confederacy – due to the democratic (free) nature of its society and culture. These popular flags were flown alongside (and parallel to) the “official” flags designed and adopted by the government of the CSA. Indeed, these “local” flags lasted throughout the entire war and influenced all the official designs.

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