As one who has now been accused of "misrepresenting" you, the only thing we do not have for this flag is PROOF that it has anything to do with Edmund Rucker or his brigade. So it resembles somewhat the known flag used by the 7th Alabama. So what? Maybe the flag was for another Alabama unit of which we have yet to figure out.

Ken has been through all of the Alabama newspapers of the time (or most of them) and most of the Mississippi papers; I have been through all of the Tennessee papers of the times (it took me over 2 months to do working every day) and 50 per cent of the Georgia papers of the time. Flags for officers tended to get coverage in these papers and while we have the August, 1864 flag covered for Rucker that way we have nothing for the flag you have. Even Joe Wheeler's unique flag got covered by the period press. I have the 7th Tennessee's silk Second National flag from the ladies of Aberdeen, MS from a period paper in 1864.

What we do not have is concrete, conclusive evidence that your flag had anything to do with Rucker. That is all that any of us are asking for - like good historians should.

I should note that some of the names on your list have come to me over time for help with flags. Dealers and collectors are not necessarily flag scholars. Howie Madaus was both and he was the rare exception.

Greg Biggs