1.          General Council’s “1824” naval flag , Nov. 29, 1835. First official flag of the Revolution.   General Council adopted the   “1824” flag which was a modification of Philip Dimmit’s flag of Oct. 27 th .   Using the Mexican National Flag, the tri-color of green, white and red panels, the Mexican Eagle was replaced with the numbers (representing the date of) 1824. The official flag was approved for flying by privateers operating under Letters of Marquee and Reprisal as late as Feb. 1836.   Dr. Grant & F. W. Johnson each flew a 1824 flag on their illfated Matamoros Expedition.   Popular myth holds that this flag flew at the Alamo when it fell on March 6, 1836.   It was neither captured or reported in official journals. <1>

2.          DeZavala’s Flag , March 11, 1836, but no evidence it ever flown. DeZavala’s Flag adopted as the first Official flag   of the Republic on March 11, 1836. However, no evidence that it was ever flown.   Amended by William B. Scates on March 12 added a “rainbow and star of five points above the western horizon; and the star of six points sinking below.” <2>

3.          “ National flag for Naval Service ”, April 9, 1836. A National flag for naval service adopted April 9, 1836 at Harrisburg as the Interim government was in retreat.   Flown before San Jacinto. Made at the home of Mrs. Jane Harris by the ladies of Harrisburg.   It had a “union blue, star central, thirteen stripes prolonged, alternate red and white.”   Burnet felt that the Navy flag then in use (1824, see above) was confusing and would be mistaken for a Mexican vessel, so he had this flag designed to be clearly seen as not Mexican, and in fact, deceptive in its confusion with the U. S. Flag at a distance.   <3>

4.          Burnet’s flag, “National Standard ” Dec. 10, 1836. Burnet’s Official flag December 10, 1836.   “Azure ground, with a large golden star central.” <4>

5.          Stewart’s “National flag”, Jan. 25, 1839: Dr. George B. Stewart’s flag designated official flag of the Republic on 1839.    January 25, 1836 by act of congress as the national Standard. Bill submitted by Senator Jones.   Flag drawn by P. Krag, an artist, and used as exhibit to the bill. Subsequently adopted as the State flag of Texas after it joined the Union. <5>

Footnotes:

<1>Yates
<2> Southwestern, Vol. 59, p. 487
<3> ibid, Vol. 59, p. 488
<4> ibid, Vol. 59, p. 489
<5> ibid, Vol. 59, p. 489; Vernon's, Art. 6139a

Flags at Annexation or Home

3.28.04