Confederate Second National Flag, "The Stainless Banner," Captured at Battery Bee in Charleston Harbor on February 16, 1865.  This flag measures 64½" on its hoist by 92½" on the fly (worn down from 96"), including 1¼" linen hoist binding, constructed of bunting with 7" linen stars which are inset with a welt and visible from both sides. Hand whipped grommets are at the top and bottom corners, with a 7" x 11" white reinforcing strip by the lower grommet and a 3" x 6" blue reinforcing panel at the top. The St. Andrew's Cross canton is 46" square. The white field is composed of four strips, three 18" and one 10", and there is no fold over on the top or bottom edge. The flag is completely hand stitched. Written in ink toward the lower corner of the hoist is "Battery Bee 1 Jany 1864" and at the upper corner "6 x 10." This was most likely applied either when the flag was shipped from the depot or when it arrived at Battery Bee. Stitched to the flag on the lower center red portion of the canton is a 4½" x 8" polished cotton rectangle which bears the printed legend: "Rebel Flag At Battery Bee/ Entered By The Navy,/ February 16, 1865." The date refers to the day Union forces entered the Charleston defences evacuated by the Confederate army. According to an evaluation written by Dr. Howard Madaus and included with this lot, " As the flag conforms to the style and size of the type produced for 'posts and camps' by the Confederate Clothing Depot at Charleston, S.C., there is no reason to doubt the ascribed history written on this cotton patch." Doubtless this flag appears exactly as it was when removed from Battery Bee with one small tear along the hoist, the edge of the fly somewhat tattered, and a section of stitching that has opened along one side of the canton.

Battery Bee was located in Charleston Harbor. The Report of Captain Warren Adams dated November 20,0 1863, indicates that Company I of the 1st South Carolina Regular Infantry, also known as the 3rd South Carolina Heavy Artillery occupied the fortifications and took casualties on November 19, 1863. This would have been a mere six weeks prior to the issue of the flag. There are no records of that regiment being moved from their position although there may be later reports of Battery Bee held by others after the evacuation. After several attempts Battery Bee was finally captured by the U.S. Navy on February 16, 1865.

A very important Confederate flag, of unquestioned authenticity, including a copy of a letter of opinion by Dr. Howard Madaus from November 26, 2003.