In the [Major Charles] Irving Papers at the Virginia Historical Society in Richmond is a letter from Thomas W. Colley to Charles Irving, dated 11 July 1896. Colley writes that "we have the old battle flag of the 1st [Virginia Cavalry]. It was never surrendered. Its color bearer, Mr. David Lowery, tore it from the staff and concealed it under his clothing and brought it home and we had it in Richmond with our camp. I had it photographed yesterday morning on my return from Richmond." The photograph is included in the Papers - it is marked G. A. Wertz, Abington, Virginia. According to a letterhead, photographer Wertz had his shop on Main Street in Abington. The flag has been colorized; no holes or tears in the flag are evident. Colley proposed having copies made at 75 cents apiece of living veterans holding the flag. Presumably the old veteran holding the flag in the photograph is Colley himself, which, per his letter, would have been taken in Abington on 10 July 1896.