Once again I want to commend you on your handling of the "Dallas Artillery" controversy. Those knowledgeable of the Arkansas units are certainly aware that the "Dallas Artillery" commanded by Capt. Hart was associated with Dallas, AR and not Dallas County. Like you stated, just because a town in remote western Arkansas no longer exists today doesn't mean it wasn't a hub of activity in the mid-nineteenth century. An even better example is Tulip, AR in Dallas County. In the 1850s, Tulip, AR was home to two colleges (a female institute and the Arkansas Military Institute), not to mention large hotels, shops, churches, etc. In the 1830's, Tulip almost became the state capitol. Today it is a simply a cross roads in Dallas County.

Mr. Neel's concerns about the provenance of the flag certainly have merit, but equally compelling arguments could be made for the flag belonging to Hart's "Dallas Artillery." Until hard evidence surfaces, such speculations will remain just that—speculations.

Bill