Hayes Lowe
Proof by dates.
Mon Jun 18 11:01:03 2001


OK. I thought that the crudeness was important in determining this, since you stated it as qualifier in the sentence: "The 3rd Alabama Cavalry flag is a crude oblong St. Andrew's cross and thus can not be the flag of the Prattville Dragoons."

The date is also what I was going by to rule out that possibility, as the Prattville Dragoon flag was issued to that company in April, 1861.

However, not being an expert on flags, I couldn't rule out that possibility entirely based on that alone. I know when the St. Andrew's cross flag was "officially" adopted, but have seen nothing stating (and backed by proof) that it absolutely, positively was not/could not have been used before that date.

A good example of why I am careful in this is the 36 Star flag of the Union. It was not "officially" adopted as the flag of the United States until July 4, 1865. However, it is proven (as much as such things can be proven, at any rate) that it was already in use in early April, 1865. And, I have further evidence, though not as strong, that it was in use almost immediately (in late 1864) after the 36th State joined the Union. [Re: battle flag of the 4th Mich. Inf.]