"The Bonnie Blue Flag" holds special significance to the Texas brigade. The song was premiered by lyricist Harry Macarthy during a concert in Jackson, Mississippi, in the spring of 1861 and performed again in September of that same year at the New Orleans Academy of Music for the First Texas Volunteer Infantry regiment mustering in celebration.

The New Orleans music publishing house of A.E. Blackmar issued six editions of "The Bonnie Blue Flag" between 1861 and 1864 along with three additional arrangements. The tune was so popular that Union General Benjamin Butler was said to have arrested and fined Blackmar for daring to publish it.

The bonnie blue flag was often carried by Texas troops and has held a special place in the heart of Texans.

General Longstreet writes in his memoirs: "My mind was relieved by information that my resignation was accepted, to take effect on the 1st of June 1861. In our travel next day we crossed the line into the State of Texas. From the gloomy forebodings of old friends, it seemed at El Paso that we had entered into a different world. All was enthusiasm and excitement, and songs of "Dixie and the South" were borne upon the balmy air. But the Texas girl did not ascend to a state of incandescent charm until the sound of the first notes of " The Bonny Blue Flag" reached her ear. Then her feet rose in gleeful springs, her limbs danced, her hands patted, her eyes glowed, her lips moved, though she did not care to speak, or listen to any one. She seemed lifted in the air, thrilled and afloat, holding to the " Single Star" in joyful hope of Southern rights."

The lyrics to the bonnie blue flag:

We are a band of brothers and native to the soil
Fighting for the property we gained by honest toil
And when our rights were threatened, the cry rose near and far
Hurrah for the Bonnie Blue Flag that bears a single star!

Hurrah!
Hurrah!
For Southern rights, hurrah!
Hurrah for the Bonnie Blue Flag that bears a single star.

As long as the Union was faithful to her trust
Like friends and brethren, kind were we, and just
But now, when Northern treachery attempts our rights to mar
We hoist on high the Bonnie Blue Flag that bears a single star.

First gallant South Carolina nobly made the stand
Then came Alabama and took her by the hand
Next, quickly Mississippi, Georgia, and Florida
All raised on high the Bonnie Blue Flag that bears a single star.

Ye men of valor gather round the banner of the right
Texas and fair Louisiana join us in the fight
Davis, our loved President, and Stephens statesmen are
Now rally round the Bonnie Blue Flag that bears a single star.

And here's to brave Virginia the Old Dominion state
With the young Confederacy at length has linked her fate
Impelled by her example now other states prepare
To hoist on high the Bonnie Blue Flag that bears the single star.

Then here's to our Confederacy strong we are and brave
Like patriots of old we'll fight our heritage to save
And rather than submit to shame to die we would prefer
So cheer for the Bonnie Blue Flag that bears the single star.

Then cheer boys cheer raise the joyous shout
For Kansas and North Carolina now have both gone out
And let another rousing cheer for Tennessee be given
The single star on the Bonnie Blue Flag has grown to be eleven.

And to Missouri we extend both heart and hand
And welcome her a sister of our Confederate band
Tho surrounded by oppression no one dare deter
Her adding to our Bonnie Blue Flag her bright and twelfth star!