Today
remember our losses at Gettysburg and Vicksburg on July 4th 1863. They
were severe blows to our freedom and liberty. In Vicksburg, Mississippi,
many, many Missouri Battle Flags were surrendered this day 149 years
ago. "Missouri Brigade Battle Flag Prior to the Vicksburg
Campaign,Missouri units of the "Army of the West" received presents of
new battle flags that they carried into the siege with them. These flags
were rectangular, consisting of a dark blue bunting field with a red
bunting border on three sides and a white cotton "Latin" cross standing
near the staff edge. At some time in 1863 or 1864 similar flags were
presented to the five units of Burns' Missouri Brigade serving in the
Trans-Mississippi Department. According to surviving documents man of
these flags were made in occupied New Orleans by ladies loyal to the
Confederacy and smuggled through the lines to give to General Sterling
Price"
