Indeed the article is factually correct that the "battle flag" never flew over Texas. It was, as you noted, a purely military color.

But there is also the erroneous statement that there was such a thing as "the battle flag" when, in fact, CS Army units followed upwards of 20 patterns and sub-patterns during the war, many of them not even closely resembling the Southern Cross pattern. Additionally, not only were there the square versions of the ANV flag but also rectangular versions as issued to the Army of Tennessee in early 1864 not to mention some home made rectangular flags also issued to some units (including a few from Texas).

Texas troops followed these battle flags, at the least, during the war - ANV (Richmond Depot); AOT (Augusta Depot); Hardee pattern; Texas state flag; First National; Polk Corps; AOT variants; some unique patterns - to name but a few. Examples of all exist today in various museums (see Robert Maberry's outstanding book "Texas Flags" for their history and lots of images of these flags).

So please, when you respond, be sure to include these flags that lead Texans into battle.

Greg Biggs