The Athens [Tenn.] Post of June 21, 1861 records the presentation of two sets of colors to Capt. Boggess's Company, Co. A, 26th Tenn. of Meigs County.

One of these flags was " . . . inscribed with eleven stars . . ." and the other in which "Dr. John M. Lillard, holding the Flag in his hand, his eyes, in tears, fixed upon the fifteen stars, replied in behalf of the Company."

The eleven star flag may have been somewhat premature in that this standard did not become official until Tennessee was admitted to the Confederacy on July 2 of that year.

The 13 star banner became official on December 10 next upon admittance of Missouri and Kentucky to the Confederacy.

Would anyone know of the significance of the 15 start variant?

I note in Arms and Equipment of the Confederacy, Echoes of Glory, Time-Life Books, that 15 stars in a circle appear in the White Canton of the flag of the Forsyth Rifles, North Carolina Infantry.

George Martin