The Patriot: Film Fact or Fiction

The "Betsy Ross" flag was widely used as a battle flag:
During each of the film's battles and as a subplot with Gabriel, the now familiar Betsy Ross flag is the only American flag that is evident.

FICTIONS:
Unlike in the movie, where the Betsy Ross flag is the only one carried by Patriot forces, there was no standard issue flag used throughout the Continental Army and Patriot militia. Most battle flags showed symbols and slogans that were familiar to the region from which that regiment originated.

MYTHS:
In 1776, General George Washington supposedly paid a visit to Betsy Ross and asked her to design a flag based on a red, white and blue theme and the "Betsy Ross" flag soon appeard. This part of the legend has not been substantiated by historians.

FACTS:
On June 14, 1777, the Continental Congress officially adopted "that the flag of the United States be thirteen stripes, alternate red and white; that the union be thirteen stars, white in a blue field, representing a new constellation." Even after this, there were wide variations among flags based on the official theme, such as different patterns for the stars or vertical stripes.

During the transition in Charleston the British Union Jack replaces another flag. This flag may have been a state flag or other such flag, but in this case, the filmmakers did not go for again using the Betsy Ross flag.

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