The Bonnie Blue

Sierra Times ^ | 09/02/2003 | Jeff Dantre

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My wife and I have been considering flying a flag at our new home in rural Georgia. In deciding what flag to fly, we searched for something that would express our independence and our need for freedom from the government. Now, the Bonnie Blue can be seen hanging from our porch. The Bonnie Blue is beautiful in its simplicity.

The history of the Bonnie Blue (I don't pretend to be an expert) appears to start in the early 1800's, used in Florida. Our course, Texas, the lone star state, uses the single star design. It was carried by Confederate forces during the WBS. It flew over Mississippi after that state declared its secession. The Bonnie Blue was never officially adopted by the Confederate government but it was adopted by the people of the South and used by five Confederate states in some form. Bonnie Blue Flag, and Dixie were the most popular songs of the Confederacy. The words to Bonnie Blue Flag were written in 1861 by Harry McCarthy, an English-born vaudevillian. He set the words to an old Irish tune, The Irish Jaunting Car.

I believe the Bonnie Blue represents individual strength but also the unity of a group. Perhaps it shows focus on a single issue. And unlike the official flags of the Confederacy, the Bonnie Blue seems to have a life that goes beyond those years.

So for my family, the Bonnie Blue is a symbol of the continuing struggle for liberty, respect for the individual, self-sufficiency and responsibility. It means casting a constant watch on government, a belief that government is inherently evil but an often-necessary evil. It's the understanding that the government of the country we call the United States is truly a perversion of what our founders intended it to be. We all face a struggle that will be relentless if we wish, really wish, that our government return to its constitutional foundation.

I hope that others will consider flying the Bonnie Blue as the symbol of our continuing struggle.

The Bonnie Blue Flag
Harry McCarthy

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!"
(Refrain)
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.
Refrain

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.
Refrain

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.
Refrain.

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.
Refrain

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.
Refrain

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.

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Republic of West Florida (74 days in 1810) - In 1810, southernmost Mississippi became part of the Republic of West Florida. Then this banner, known as the Bonnie Blue Flag, flew over Mississippi coastal counties. Before this, the U.S. believed it already had acquired southernmost Mississippi when it bought the Louisiana Purchase from France in 1803. But Spain refused to evacuate the area. So, in 1810, American settlers rebelled against the Spanish and drove them east. The Americans then formed the Republic of West Florida and applied for U.S. statehood. President James Madison responded that West Florida already was in the Louisiana Purchase and ordered officials to take posssession. Then, that area was added to the Mississippi Territory. In 1861, this flag resurfaced at the Old Capitol in Jackson, where Mississippi had just passed the Ordinance of Succession. Its lone star, again, symbolized a claim of independence.

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Dixie News Roundup!

• It's Not About Religion - 9th and 10th Ammendment & Judge Moore
• Michigan returns Confederate flag to Fredericksburg - Hurrah! Welcome home
• Bar stirs up some southern discomfort - Southern Themed Bar in Athens, GA
• Confederate flag raises hackles - Patriotic Crane Company flies the CBF
• The Bonnie Blue - Jeff Dantre's Perspective on the Bonnie Blue

 

[TomServo]

Dixie Bump!

[Constitution Day]

BUMP!

[stainlessbanner]

[LTCJ]

I've taken to 'hoisting high the Bonnie Blue' as a sign of distress each time I hear of yet another infringement of the Federal government on the reserved rights of individuals or the various States.

It's gotten a lot of "air" time lately.

[Pyro7480]

The song "The Bonnie Blue Flag" is such a catchy tune. I remember the first time I heard it. I was a small kid, and I heard it in the John Wayne movie "The Horse Soldiers," which was a favorite of mine at the time. A small contingent of Southern forces were singing it as the marched through a forest, under the gaze of John Wayne's character.

[stainlessbanner]

[aomagrat]

Bonnie Blue Bump!

[SquirrelKing]

I've had the South Carolina Secession flag for years. The other day one of my more ign'rnt neighbors asked me why I had the Turkish flag on my porch.

He's not invited to our cookouts anymore.

[stainlessbanner]

No BBQ for him anymore! That's a beautiful flag.

Here is the Florida secession flag - I have yet to get my own.

Inscription: THE RIGHTS OF THE SOUTH AT ALL HAZARDS!

[Stingray51]

btt

[wardaddy]

Bonnie Blue flies on my front tag and from my portico these days.

I'd like a nice Magnolia flag too.

[archy]

Our course, Texas, the lone star state, uses the single star design.

Oh yeah! And of course the original *Burnet Flag* of the Republic of Texas, established after the 1836 Texian seccession from Mexico, is a mighty close cousin to the Bonniw Blue. And another similar Texian *Zavala* flag shared the Bonnie Blue's white star, with the addition of the five letters T*E*X*A*S between the five points of the star.

[azhenfud]

BUMP

[billbears]

NC Confederate Flags

Ours is down at the bottom. Bonnie Blue bump

[azhenfud]

They're a handsome lot, aren't they?
I used the S&B, CBF, and NC 1861 at the marker dedication ceremony for my GGGrandads' service last April. It was a nice display.

Beau Regards,
Az

[Robe]

I have the Bonnie Blue as my front license plate.

I love it when I go to military bases......the gate guards always snap to, thinking I'm a one star admiral

( take no chances , don't cha know)

[stainlessbanner]

I'm gonna get a BB tag on my front bumper. You two have the right idea!