Greg,
Yes, I'am aware of the Reed letter.
"large rebel flag" does not conform to
the average size Virginia State flag at
Appomattox.
If Custer had "captured" more than one flag
at Williamsburg, he certainly would have bragged
about it.
As far as the 24th Va. goes. This unit rec'd a
Virginia State flag from the Governor in Nov. 1861.
We both know that that type of flag also does not
match the flag at Appomattox.
Finally, Col. Maury of the 24th Va. flatly denies
his regiment losing a flag at Williamsburg. He also
states that the flag carried at Williamsburg is in
his possession and had been since "that fateful day". He made that statement in 1894!
The flag at Appomattox certainly came from the
Custer widow. How or where Custer got it, is
impossible to tell.

Ken