If you look at many of the paintings and models of the CSS Virginia , you will notice that some show her with one flag and some with two. Usually the flags shown are incorrect. A reporter from the Norfolk Day-Book was on the Harmony and sailed out with the Virginia on March 8, 1862. It was a gallant sight to see the iron-clad leviathan gliding noiselessly through the water, flying the red pennon of her command at the fore flagstaff and the gay Confederate ensign aft.
Most texts seem to indicate the Virginia only had one flag during the battle.
In one report, after the flag had been shot away, the Union sailors thought the Virginia was surrendering until they saw someone risking his life by bringing up a new flag. Our smoke-stack was riddled, our flag was shot down several times and was finally secured to a rent in the stack. When the Virginia was burned, Lt. Littlepage rescued the flag. It is an 11-star version of the Stars and Bars .