Betsy Ross vs. Bennington vs. Cowpens Flags: History, Meaning and Differences
Betsy Ross vs. Bennington vs. Cowpens Flags: History, Meaning and Differences
The Betsy Ross, Bennington and Cowpens flags are three of the most recognizable thirteen-star American flag designs. All three use thirteen stars and thirteen stripes to represent the original states, but their similarities largely end there. The Betsy Ross design uses a complete circle of stars, the Bennington flag places a large “76” beneath seven-pointed stars, and the Cowpens design surrounds one central star with a ring of twelve.
Their origin stories also require careful qualification. These designs are widely associated with America’s founding era, but surviving evidence does not prove that the familiar Betsy Ross pattern was the first official U.S. flag, that the preserved Bennington flag flew at the 1777 battle, or that the surviving Cowpens flag was carried at Cowpens in 1781.
This is a research-based guide to the history, meaning and visual differences among the Betsy Ross, Bennington and Cowpens flags. It separates documented facts from family tradition, later commemoration and modern interpretation so readers can choose a historic flag without repeating unsupported claims.
The three flags at a glance
- Betsy Ross flag: Thirteen five-pointed stars forming a complete circle. It is the most familiar of the three designs, but the claim that Ross created the first U.S. flag remains unproven.
- Bennington flag: Thirteen seven-pointed stars arranged around a prominent “76,” with white stripes at the top and bottom. The surviving museum flag dates to the early 19th century rather than the 1777 battle.
- Cowpens flag: Twelve five-pointed stars surrounding one star in the center. The preserved Maryland artifact dates to the 1840s, so its reported use at the 1781 battle is not supported by that artifact.
Betsy Ross vs. Bennington vs. Cowpens Flags: Side-by-Side Comparison
| Feature | Betsy Ross flag | Bennington flag | Cowpens flag |
|---|---|---|---|
| Star arrangement | Thirteen stars in one complete circle | Thirteen stars arranged around or above “76,” commonly with two stars in the upper corners | Twelve stars in a ring with one star in the center |
| Star shape | Five-pointed | Seven-pointed | Five-pointed |
| Numerals | None | Large “76” in the canton | None |
| Typical stripe sequence | Seven red and six white, with red outer stripes | Seven white and six red, with white outer stripes | Seven red and six white, with red outer stripes |
| Primary historical association | Betsy Ross and the creation of the first national flag | The Battle of Bennington and the “Spirit of ’76” | The Battle of Cowpens and the Maryland Line |
| Evidence caution | The family story became public in 1870; no surviving 1776 documentation proves that Ross created this design | The surviving Bennington Museum artifact was commissioned in the early 19th century, not documented as a 1777 battlefield flag | The Maryland State Archives dates the surviving flag to 1840–1849 |
| Common modern meaning | The founding generation, unity and the original thirteen states | Independence, 1776 and Revolutionary remembrance | The Southern Campaign, military victory and a distinctive union of thirteen states |
| Best suited for | A widely recognized early-American display | A bold “1776” or Revolutionary-themed display | A less-common historic design or Cowpens-focused display |
The simplest visual test is:
- A complete empty circle of stars is the Betsy Ross pattern.
- A large “76” and seven-pointed stars identify the Bennington pattern.
- A ring of twelve stars surrounding a thirteenth star identifies the Cowpens pattern.
Why Do Thirteen-Star American Flags Look Different?
On June 14, 1777, the Continental Congress adopted a national flag with thirteen alternating red and white stripes and thirteen white stars in a blue field, representing “a new constellation.” The resolution did not specify:
- How the stars should be arranged
- Whether the stars should have five, six or seven points
- The exact dimensions of the canton
- The proportions of the flag
- The direction in which individual stars should point
- The precise shades of red and blue
- A standardized construction method
Because the resolution left those details open, flag makers used many arrangements. The Museum of the American Revolution’s collection of historic 13-star flags has documented dozens of star configurations. The federal government did not establish a standardized star arrangement and precise flag proportions until 1912.
The Betsy Ross, Bennington and Cowpens patterns should therefore not be described as three designs separately adopted by Congress. They are named historic or historically inspired arrangements that satisfy the broad visual concept of thirteen stars and thirteen stripes.
A brief timeline
| Date | Event | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| June 14, 1777 | Congress adopts the first Flag Resolution | Establishes thirteen stars and thirteen stripes but leaves the star pattern unspecified |
| August 16, 1777 | Battle of Bennington | Later tradition connects the “76” flag with this Patriot victory |
| January 17, 1781 | Battle of Cowpens | Later tradition connects the center-star design with this Southern Campaign victory |
| Early 19th century | Bennington Museum dates the commissioning of its “76” flag to this period | The surviving artifact does not establish use at the 1777 battle |
| 1840–1849 | Maryland State Archives dates its Cowpens flag artifact | The preserved flag was made decades after the Revolutionary War |
| 1870 | William Canby publicly presents the Betsy Ross family story | The best-known account becomes public nearly a century after the alleged 1776 meeting |
What Is the Betsy Ross Flag?
The Betsy Ross flag is the best-known thirteen-star American flag design. Its defining feature is a complete circle of thirteen five-pointed white stars in a blue canton. Modern reproductions normally use thirteen alternating red and white stripes, beginning and ending with red.
What does the Betsy Ross flag look like?
- Thirteen five-pointed white stars
- One complete circle of stars
- Blue canton
- Thirteen alternating stripes
- Seven red and six white stripes in most reproductions
- No central star or numerals
The unbroken star circle makes it easy to distinguish from the Cowpens pattern, which places only twelve stars in the ring and adds one in the center.
Did Betsy Ross make the first American flag?
Betsy Ross was a real Philadelphia upholsterer, and surviving records support the conclusion that she made flags. The more specific claim—that George Washington and other committee members asked her to create the first national flag and that she proposed its five-pointed stars—comes primarily from family oral history.
Ross’s grandson, William Canby, first presented the story publicly to the Historical Society of Pennsylvania in 1870. Family members later signed affidavits stating that Ross had told them the account. The Betsy Ross House explains the evidence and family tradition, while acknowledging that no written 1776 record has been found to prove the meeting or first-flag claim.
The Museum of the American Revolution notes that circular thirteen-star flags are now recognized as Betsy Ross flags, but no documentation from the founding period proves that Ross created that particular design.
The most accurate wording is therefore:
The circular thirteen-star design is traditionally associated with Betsy Ross, but the claim that she designed or sewed the first official American flag has not been conclusively documented.
What does the Betsy Ross flag mean?
The thirteen stars and thirteen stripes represent the thirteen states at the nation’s founding. The circle is commonly interpreted as a symbol of unity and equality because no single star occupies a visibly superior position.
That interpretation is meaningful and widely used today, but it should be identified as a later or modern symbolic reading. The 1777 resolution did not prescribe a circle or define a special meaning for it.
Today the Betsy Ross flag may represent:
- The American founding era
- The original thirteen states
- Unity among the states
- Independence and self-government
- Interest in early American history
Is the Betsy Ross flag an official U.S. flag?
It is a historic thirteen-star interpretation of the national flag described by the 1777 resolution, but the federal government did not separately adopt the circular arrangement as the one mandatory star pattern. It is not the current official United States flag.
What Is the Bennington Flag?
The Bennington flag is the most visually distinctive of the three designs. Its large “76,” unusual seven-pointed stars, and reversed stripe sequence make it immediately recognizable.
What does the Bennington flag look like?
Most Bennington reproductions include:
- Thirteen seven-pointed white stars
- A large “76” inside the blue canton
- Stars arranged in an arch around or above the numerals
- Thirteen alternating stripes
- Seven white and six red stripes
- White stripes at both the top and bottom
The Bennington Museum’s catalog record identifies its preserved flag as an early-19th-century commission associated with Nathaniel Fillmore.
What does “76” mean on the Bennington flag?
The number refers to 1776, the year the Declaration of Independence was adopted. It does not refer to the year of the Battle of Bennington, which occurred in 1777.
The numerals give the design its strong “Spirit of ’76” identity and make it a popular choice for:
- Independence Day displays
- American Revolution commemorations
- 1776-themed events
- Historical classrooms and exhibits
- America 250 observances
What happened at the Battle of Bennington?
The Battle of Bennington was fought on August 16, 1777, in two engagements near present-day Walloomsac, New York. Patriot militia under leaders including General John Stark and Colonel Seth Warner defeated a force connected with British General John Burgoyne’s campaign.
According to New York State Parks’ Bennington Battlefield history, the victory imposed irreplaceable losses on Burgoyne’s army and prevented it from obtaining supplies needed for its movement toward Albany. The battle contributed to the chain of events preceding Burgoyne’s surrender after Saratoga.
Although named for Bennington, Vermont—the intended supply objective—the principal battlefield is in New York.
Did the Bennington flag fly at the Battle of Bennington?
The surviving “76” flag should not be presented as a proven battlefield artifact from August 1777. Family tradition connected it to the battle, but the Bennington Museum dates its commissioning to the early 19th century.
That does not make the flag historically unimportant. It makes it a significant example of how Americans commemorated the Revolution and the “Spirit of ’76” after the war.
The most accurate wording is:
The Bennington flag is traditionally associated with the Battle of Bennington, but the surviving museum flag dates to the early 19th century and is better understood as a commemorative historic design than as a proven 1777 battlefield flag.
What does the Bennington flag mean?
The Bennington design combines several themes:
- Thirteen stars and stripes: The original states
- “76”: The Declaration of Independence and the founding generation
- Battle association: Patriot resistance and victory during the Saratoga campaign
- Commemorative use: Later remembrance of the American Revolution
Its strongest modern meaning is not that a particular surviving cloth flag certainly flew in 1777. Its meaning comes from its enduring connection with independence, Revolutionary memory and the visual language of 1776.
What Is the Cowpens Flag?
The Cowpens flag, sometimes called the Third Maryland or 3rd Maryland pattern, resembles the Betsy Ross design until the viewer looks at the center. Twelve stars form an outer ring, while the thirteenth star stands alone in the middle.
What does the Cowpens flag look like?
- Thirteen five-pointed white stars
- Twelve stars forming a circle or oval
- One thirteenth star in the center
- A blue canton
- Thirteen alternating red and white stripes
- Seven red and six white stripes in common reproductions
- No numerals
What happened at the Battle of Cowpens?
The Battle of Cowpens took place on January 17, 1781, in present-day South Carolina. Brigadier General Daniel Morgan’s Patriot force defeated Lieutenant Colonel Banastre Tarleton’s British force.
The National Park Service’s Battle of Cowpens history describes Morgan’s victory over Tarleton as one of the most significant Patriot successes of the Southern Campaign. The defeat weakened British operations in the Carolinas and helped set the stage for the movement toward Yorktown.
Did the Cowpens flag fly at the Battle of Cowpens?
A later family account claimed that William Batchelor carried the flag with the Maryland Line at Cowpens and that his son Joshua later carried it during the War of 1812. The surviving evidence does not substantiate that Revolutionary War provenance.
The Maryland State Archives dates the preserved Cowpens flag to 1840–1849. Its research also identifies serious inconsistencies in the Batchelor family story.
The Archives’ biography of Joshua F. Batchelor explains that his father may have died at the Battle of Camden before Cowpens occurred and that the surviving flag was made in the 1840s.
The most accurate wording is:
The Cowpens pattern is traditionally associated with the 1781 battle and the Maryland Line, but the surviving Maryland artifact dates to the 1840s and does not prove battlefield use at Cowpens.
What does the center star on the Cowpens flag mean?
The central star is often said to represent Maryland, with the surrounding twelve stars representing the other states. That explanation comes from the later Batchelor family tradition and should not be presented as symbolism documented in 1781.
More broadly, the design can be interpreted as:
- One union composed of thirteen states
- A central state or common cause surrounded by the others
- Remembrance of the Battle of Cowpens
- Recognition of the Revolutionary War’s Southern Campaign
When explaining the center star, distinguish modern interpretation and family tradition from documented Revolutionary-era intent.
What Are the Major Differences Between the Betsy Ross, Bennington and Cowpens Flags?
1. The star arrangement
This is the fastest way to identify the design:
- Betsy Ross: All thirteen stars form one circle.
- Bennington: Stars form an arch around “76.”
- Cowpens: Twelve stars form a ring around one center star.
2. The number of points on each star
- Betsy Ross: Five points
- Bennington: Seven points
- Cowpens: Five points
The seven-pointed stars make the Bennington pattern unusual among familiar historic American flags.
3. The stripe sequence
Most Betsy Ross and Cowpens reproductions use seven red and six white stripes, placing red at the top and bottom. The Bennington pattern reverses that sequence, using seven white and six red stripes so that white appears at both outer edges.
4. The “76” numerals
Only the Bennington flag includes “76.” The numerals refer to the Declaration of Independence in 1776, not the 1777 date of the battle.
5. The historical tradition
- The Betsy Ross story concerns the creation of the first national flag.
- The Bennington tradition concerns a 1777 Patriot victory and later Revolutionary commemoration.
- The Cowpens tradition concerns the 1781 Southern Campaign and a claimed Maryland military connection.
6. The surviving evidence
None of the three names should be used as a shortcut for proven battlefield or first-flag provenance:
- No contemporaneous record proves that Betsy Ross designed the familiar circular pattern.
- The surviving Bennington Museum flag was commissioned in the early 19th century.
- The surviving Maryland Cowpens flag was constructed during the 1840s.
These limitations do not erase the designs’ importance. They explain how national symbols develop through a combination of documented events, family memory, commemoration, art and popular tradition.
Which Historic American Flag Should You Choose?
There is no single “best” design. The right choice depends on the history, appearance and setting you want the flag to represent.
| Choose this flag | When your priority is | Visual character |
|---|---|---|
| Betsy Ross | The most widely recognized thirteen-star founding-era design | Balanced, symmetrical and immediately familiar |
| Bennington | A bold 1776 statement, Battle of Bennington interest or America 250 display | Highly distinctive “76,” arched stars and reversed stripes |
| Cowpens | Southern Campaign history or a less-common thirteen-star pattern | Familiar circular composition with a prominent center star |
Choose the Betsy Ross flag when
- You want the design most people will recognize immediately.
- You prefer a clean, symmetrical star circle.
- Your display concerns the founding era broadly rather than one battle.
- You are comfortable explaining that the Ross origin story is traditional rather than conclusively proven.
Choose the Bennington flag when
- The “Spirit of ’76” is the central theme.
- You want a visually bold Independence Day or America 250 display.
- You have a connection to Vermont, New York or the Battle of Bennington.
- You prefer a pattern that is easy to distinguish from a standard American flag.
Choose the Cowpens flag when
- You are interested in the Revolutionary War’s Southern Campaign.
- You have a connection to South Carolina or the Cowpens battlefield.
- You want a more unusual star arrangement.
- You prefer the symbolism or appearance of a central thirteenth star.
How to Buy a Historic American Flag
1. Confirm the exact star pattern
Historic-flag names are sometimes used loosely. Before ordering, inspect the actual product image:
- A Betsy Ross reproduction should show thirteen stars in a complete circle.
- A Bennington reproduction should show “76,” seven-pointed stars and white outer stripes.
- A Cowpens reproduction should show twelve stars around one center star.
Do not rely only on the product title. Confirm the artwork shown for the exact variant.
2. Check whether the design is printed, sewn or embroidered
Common construction methods include:
- Printed: The full design is applied to the fabric. This can be economical and practical for complex historical artwork.
- Sewn stripes with embroidered stars: Provides dimensional construction familiar from premium modern flags.
- Fully sewn or appliquéd: Individual design elements are assembled from separate pieces of fabric. This can require substantially more labor.
A printed flag is not automatically inaccurate, and a sewn flag is not automatically historically authentic. Construction quality and historical accuracy are separate questions.
3. Choose material for the intended use
For many residential outdoor displays, nylon provides a useful balance of lighter weight, color and the ability to fly in moderate wind. Heavier polyester may be appropriate for stronger wind and compatible in-ground flagpoles. Cotton can provide a traditional appearance for indoor, ceremonial or limited-use displays but may be less suitable for prolonged outdoor exposure.
Compare the materials in BuyAmerican.com’s guide to nylon vs. polyester American flags.
4. Choose the correct flag size
A 3-by-5-foot flag is common for a five- or six-foot house-mounted pole. Larger ground-set poles may support larger flags, subject to the pole’s flagged wind rating and manufacturer specifications.
Use the complete American flag and flagpole size guide before ordering.
5. Verify the attachment method
Confirm whether the flag uses:
- Grommets
- A pole sleeve
- Rope and thimble
- Snap hooks
- Indoor tabs or fringe
The flag must be compatible with the existing pole, halyard or bracket.
6. Verify the exact Made-in-USA claim
A historic American design is not automatically an American-made product. Patriotic imagery, an American company name, a U.S. warehouse or the phrase “ships from the USA” does not prove where the flag was manufactured.
The Federal Trade Commission explains that an unqualified Made-in-USA claim generally requires a product to be “all or virtually all” made domestically. Review the FTC’s Made-in-USA compliance guidance.
Verify the claim for the exact product and variant, including:
- Fabric origin
- Printing, embroidery or appliqué location
- Cutting and sewing location
- Header and grommet origin when material
- Final assembly
- Any imported-components qualification
Do not infer that every historical flag made by an American brand has the same origin status.
7. Review the historical description
A responsible product page should distinguish among:
- Documented fact
- Family tradition
- Battle association
- Later commemorative use
- Modern symbolism
A reproduction should not be marketed as an exact copy of a battlefield flag unless the seller can identify the artifact, source, dimensions, construction details and supporting evidence.
Historic Flag Options at BuyAmerican.com
Betsy Ross flag
BuyAmerican.com currently lists a 3-by-5-foot Betsy Ross flag described as heavy-duty nylon with sewn stripes and embroidered stars. Review the current product page for availability, construction details and the exact substantiated country-of-origin claim.
Bennington historical flag
The current Bennington historical flag is offered in several sizes and construction options. Confirm the selected variant’s size, fabric, star and stripe construction, outdoor suitability and product-level manufacturing evidence before ordering.
Cowpens flag availability
BuyAmerican.com did not have a separately identified Cowpens flag product when this guide was prepared. Inventory can change. Browse the live Flags & Patriotic Decor collection for current historical and commemorative designs.
Compare the design before choosing the flag.
Select the Betsy Ross pattern for the familiar thirteen-star circle, the Bennington pattern for its bold “76,” or the Cowpens pattern for its distinctive center star.
How Should Historic American Flags Be Displayed?
The Betsy Ross, Bennington and Cowpens flags can be displayed for historical, educational, commemorative or decorative purposes. They should not be represented as the current official flag of the United States.
When displaying a historic flag with the current United States flag:
- Give the current U.S. flag the appropriate position of honor.
- Do not place a historic reproduction above the current U.S. flag on the same halyard.
- Follow the applicable venue, government, military or organizational protocol.
- Do not use a reproduction in a way that suggests it is a verified original artifact.
Federal civilian display customs are contained in Title 4, Chapter 1 of the United States Code.
Other Historic American Flags to Compare
The Betsy Ross, Bennington and Cowpens flags are only three examples from a much larger history of American banners and thirteen-star arrangements.
For a design that is visually and historically different, review BuyAmerican.com’s guide to the Gadsden flag’s meaning and history. The Gadsden flag uses a yellow field, coiled rattlesnake and “Don’t Tread on Me” motto rather than stars and stripes.
For current manufacturers and materials, compare the best American flags made in the USA.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between the Betsy Ross and Cowpens flags?
The Betsy Ross flag places all thirteen stars in a complete circle. The Cowpens flag places twelve stars in a circle and one star in the center. Both commonly use five-pointed stars and seven red with six white stripes.
What is the difference between the Betsy Ross and Bennington flags?
The Betsy Ross design uses thirteen five-pointed stars in a circle and has no numerals. The Bennington flag uses seven-pointed stars around a large “76” and normally begins and ends with white stripes.
What is the difference between the Bennington and Cowpens flags?
The Bennington flag has a large “76,” seven-pointed stars and white outer stripes. The Cowpens flag has no numerals, uses five-pointed stars and places one star in the center of a twelve-star ring.
Which flag has “76” on it?
The Bennington flag. The number refers to 1776, the year the Declaration of Independence was adopted.
Which American flag has one star in the center?
The Cowpens pattern uses twelve stars in an outer ring with a thirteenth star in the center.
Which historic American flag has seven-pointed stars?
The Bennington flag is known for its thirteen seven-pointed stars.
Why does the Bennington flag start and end with white stripes?
That reversed sequence is a defining feature of the traditional Bennington design. It uses seven white and six red stripes, unlike the more familiar arrangement with red at the top and bottom. No surviving founding-era resolution required that reversal.
Was the Betsy Ross flag the first American flag?
The circular pattern is traditionally associated with the first national flag, but no surviving contemporaneous record proves that Betsy Ross designed it or that it was the one first used after the 1777 resolution.
Did Betsy Ross make American flags?
Historical records support the conclusion that Ross worked as an upholsterer and made flags. The unresolved issue is the more specific claim that she designed or sewed the first official national flag.
Did the Bennington flag fly at the Battle of Bennington?
The preserved Bennington Museum “76” flag is dated to the early 19th century, so that artifact is not a proven 1777 battlefield flag. Its association with the battle is traditional and commemorative.
Did the Cowpens flag fly at the Battle of Cowpens?
The surviving Maryland flag dates to the 1840s and therefore could not have flown at the 1781 battle. The Cowpens association comes from a later and disputed family account.
Does the center star on the Cowpens flag represent Maryland?
It is often interpreted that way because of the Batchelor family story and the “Third Maryland” name. That meaning is not established by a contemporaneous 1781 source and should be identified as tradition rather than proven intent.
Were all early American flags arranged in a circle?
No. The 1777 resolution did not specify a star arrangement, and surviving thirteen-star flags use many patterns, including rows, circles, staggered arrangements and larger-star formations.
Which of the three flags is historically authentic?
Each is an established historic or historically inspired American design, but “authentic” needs qualification. No surviving evidence conclusively proves the Betsy Ross first-flag story, the Bennington Museum flag dates after the battle, and the Maryland Cowpens artifact dates to the 1840s. A modern reproduction accurately reproduces a named traditional pattern; it should not automatically be described as a replica of a proven battlefield flag.
Are the Betsy Ross, Bennington and Cowpens flags official today?
No. The current official United States flag has fifty stars and thirteen stripes. These historic patterns may be displayed for educational, commemorative and patriotic purposes.
Are historic American flags made in the USA?
Some are and some are not. The historical design does not determine manufacturing origin. Verify the exact product label, manufacturer statement and supporting documentation for the specific flag.
Which historic flag is best for an America 250 display?
The Bennington flag’s prominent “76” gives it the clearest direct visual connection with 1776. The Betsy Ross flag provides the most familiar thirteen-star founding-era appearance. Either can work, provided its historical description is accurate.
Which historic flag is best for a Battle of Cowpens display?
The Cowpens pattern is the natural visual choice, but interpretive materials should explain that the surviving flag associated with the name dates to the 1840s rather than presenting it as a verified 1781 battlefield artifact.
Final Comparison
Choose the Betsy Ross flag for the best-known thirteen-star circle, the Bennington flag for its unmistakable “76” and Revolutionary commemorative character, or the Cowpens flag for its center-star pattern and connection with Southern Campaign memory.
The most important historical difference is not merely visual. Each design carries a later story whose details are often repeated more confidently than the evidence permits. A responsible historical display can appreciate the flags’ symbolism while clearly distinguishing documented facts from family tradition and commemoration.
Authoritative Sources and Further Reading
- Museum of the American Revolution: A New Constellation—Historic 13-Star Flags
- Museum of the American Revolution: Betsy Ross and American Memory
- Betsy Ross House: Did She or Didn’t She?
- Bennington Museum: Bennington Flag Collection Record
- New York State Parks: Bennington Battlefield State Historic Site
- Maryland State Archives: Cowpens Flag Collection Record
- Maryland State Archives: Joshua F. Batchelor and the Cowpens Flag Story
- National Park Service: The Battle of Cowpens
- Federal Trade Commission: Complying With the Made in USA Standard
Research reviewed August 13, 2026. Historical interpretations, product availability, specifications and manufacturing claims can change as new evidence or documentation becomes available.
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