Under the terms of surrender given to Gen. Lee:
"The arms, artillery, and public property to be parked and stacked, and turned over to the officers appointed by me to receive them. This will not embrace the side-arms of the officers, nor their private horses or baggage. This done, each officer and man will be allowed to return to his home, not to be disturbed by U. S. authority so long as they observe their paroles and the laws in force where they may reside." The confederate flag being a 'public property' only through permission of the President through his/her designee may any person show the symbol of the stars and bars in a public place or made visible from a private place that can be viewed by the public.



