Confusion was caused by the commanders not being able to distinguish their troops from those of the
enemy and adding to these difficulties was the fact that the "Stars and Bars" was so similar to the
"Stars and Stripes". General Beauregard was determined to remedy the flag problem, he attempted to
have the Confederate flag changed but Congressman William Porcher Miles suggested that the army
adopt its own distinctive battle flag, and recommended the design he had presented to the Congress
as the Confederate Flag on March 4, 1861. This flag was agreed upon but it was recommended that it
would be more convenient and lighter as well as less likely to be tore by bayonets or tree branches
if made square. This flag was issued in different sizes; 48 inches square for the infantry, 36 inches
for the artillery, and 30 inches for the cavalry. Other flags such as State regimental colors were
used by the Confederacy on the battlefield, but the Battle Flag, although it was never officially
recognized by the Confederate government, came to represent the Southern "cause" to most people.
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