The ensign of the CSS Tennessee is about half the size of the ensign of the CSS Atlanta - in fact, according to the chart of US Navy flags of the era, the ensign of the CSS Tennessee would be classified as a "boat flag," and yet that warship was bigger than that - in fact close to the size of the CSS Atlanta.

The point here is that CS naval flags seem to have been issued as made without too much thought as to warship size unlike the US Navy. This can be further proven by checking Madaus' "Rebel Flags Afloat" booklet.

JS tells me that it does have a sleeve for a rope but the rope is missing. The only flags I know of with rope hoists were for warships (there might be an exception or two as always). The grommets were post-war added through the netting.

As I said, land flags of larger sizes tended to use strong whipped eyelets for attachment while naval used ropes.

Units with big guns would not necessarily have bigger flags than field artillery units - the fort they defended might have a bigger flag, but the unit probably did not. In fact, ANV artillery flags that survive were either artillery or infantry sized banners typically.

I think this is a naval flag - and to me that makes it even rarer as there are not that many CS Navy flags around. Of some 200 warships there might be 30 flags tops that survive today!

A nice flag Ben - wish we had lots more historical information for it.

Greg Biggs