This article is from the U.S. Civil War FAQ, by Justin M. Sanders jsanders@jaguar1.usouthal.edu with numerous contributions by others.
The admission of two states affected the U.S. flag during the war. By
the Flag Act of 1818, a new star was added on the 4 July following the
admission of a state. Stars were added on 4 July 1861 for Kansas
(admitted 29 Jan 1861, the 34th state) and on 4 July 1863 for West
Virginia (admitted 20 June 1863, the 35th state). Nevada, the 36th state,
was admitted during the war on 31 Oct 1864, so its star was added 4 July
1865 after hostilities were over (more or less, see Q3.1).
 
Continue to: