I was involved in a simular project back in the 1980's when it came to our attention that the banner of the Jefferson Guards Militia Company, which became Company "B" of the 1st Arkansas Infantry (State Troops) under Patrick Cleburne and later was designated as the 15th Arkansas Volunteer Infantry CS., still may have existed at that time in the state of Illinois.

After a diligent search that banner was found. But not in the state archives. It was finally located wrapped in newpapers in a storage closet of an Illinois National Guard Armory. It was literally falling apart at that time due to age and lack of attention. We have never found out why it was stored in such a manner.

Even at that and such evident disregard for the history of the banner, it took us well over 3 years, and an act of congress, with Congressional legislators of both Arkansas and Illinois getting involved, before we were able to get that flag back to the State of Arkansas where we could begin the restoration process and display of that banner.

So to say that the banners of the 1st Arkansas US was intentional destroyed due to hate is a bit much. Most of those old banners especially ceremonial banners, like you describe, were made of silk, and silk deteriorate quickly with age, especially if left exposed to sunlight, and becomes tattered rags if not properly cared for. Museums and archives often discard such items if there is no evident interest in that items.