Two men separately took credit for the flag's design, reminiscent of the "Stars and Stripes" design of the United States flag; an elected committee deemed that several other countries' close resemblance to the same flag made the similarity justifiable. It consisted of three thick stripes, two red and one white, with a blue square on the upper left side containing a circle of white stars. The stars numbered seven initially, representing the original Confederate states, and increased as states joined the Confederacy. However, its close resemblance in color and overall layout to the United States flag led to confusion, especially from a distance, and after battlefield mishaps the need for a new flag was clear.
A bill was introduced in May of 1863, stating precise design requirements for a new Confederate flag, provoking much governmental debate. The adjusted bill dictated that the flag be white with a red top-left square, filling two thirds of the flag's width, on top of which would be a saltier -- a diagonal cross -- in blue, bordered in white and ornamented with white stars numbering the states in the Confederacy. This bill became official, and the new flag became known as the "stainless banner." Problems still arose from this design, though, particularly on days with little wind. Simply hanging, the colors on the flag could not be seen, implying an entirely white flag of surrender.
March of 1865 brought about the third design of the Confederate flag, the "blood-stained banner." The design remained essentially the same as the flag's second version but added a thick red bar running down the right edge. The color's presence clearly distinguished the flag from one of truce, and despite the bloody nickname, the red was said to symbolize bravery according to Major Arthur L. Rogers, artilleryman and designer of the flag, while the white represented innocence. The brief existence of the Confederacy beyond this point gave little cause for full-scale production of these flags; rather, Second National flags were commonly trimmed in order to add the red bar.
After the confusion involving the First Confederate flag during battle, Congressman William Porcher Miles approached General Beauregard with a suggestion that the army utilize, for a battle flag, his twice-rejected design for a national flag. Beauregard adopted his design but adjusted the shape: square to conserve fabric. This flag became known as the "Southern Cross," a red flag with a blue saltier edged in white and emblazoned with one white star per state in the Confederacy. Three variations were produced, varying only in size between the infantry, artillery and cavalry versions. A rectangular version of the same design went into naval use in 1863, known as the "Confederate Navy Jack."