South Carolina Citadel Red Secession Flag – 3×5 ft Cotton Sewn Replica of 1861 Fort Sumter Banner

South Carolina Citadel Red Secession Flag – 3×5 ft Cotton Sewn Replica

The Flag that Fired the First Shots of the Civil War

This 3×5 ft sewn cotton replica commemorates the historic Citadel Red Flag—the bold red banner flown by cadets of the South Carolina Military Academy (The Citadel) during the first armed confrontation between North and South.

On January 9, 1861, Citadel cadets opened fire on the Star of the West, a Union supply ship attempting to reach Fort Sumter. Their cannon fire—led by Cadet George E. Haynsworth from Morris Island—was the first military engagement of the American Civil War. Flying above their battery that day was this now-iconic red flag, emblazoned with a white palmetto tree and crescent moon, representing South Carolina’s defiant stand as the first state to secede from the Union (December 20, 1860).

Flag Specifications

• Size: 3 ft x 5 ft

• Material: Heavyweight 100% cotton, ceremonial grade

• Design: Embroidered white crescent and palmetto on a bold red field

• Mounting: Brass grommets for standard pole attachment

• Construction: Re-enactor quality; traditional mirrored reverse side

Recommended Uses

• Civil War reenactments and historical tributes

• Southern heritage displays and museum exhibits

• Indoor presentations, memorials, or honor guards

• Patriotic decoration for heritage events or education

Note: This cotton flag is designed for indoor or ceremonial display. Consider nylon options for sustained outdoor use.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the significance of this red flag?
It marked the first shots of the Civil War, flown by Citadel cadets during the January 1861 Star of the West incident.

2. Was this an official Confederate flag?
No, this was a South Carolina state banner symbolizing resistance and used independently by state forces before full Confederate organization.

3. What do the crescent and palmetto symbolize?
They represent South Carolina’s colonial history and strength—both symbols were carried over from its Revolutionary War flags.