John,

The MOC holds numerous VA state flags and that is where I would indeed go for a checking of the painting styles of the various artists that were contracted by the state. As Ken has mentioned, the invoice for these flags are in the John Letcher Papers and the Library of VA in Richmond. I have copies of all of the flags invoices.

Sadly, almost none of these flags are signed by their makers that I know of. George Ruskell of Richmond made some early era VA state flags and did sign those (the MOC has them) but once you get into looking at the various state Coats of Arms on these you will note differences, some great and some more subtle.

Lastly, you have provided fine examples of the VA state flag of this unit being carried into Maryland and some other places. Almost none of these mentioned are combat situations however. The 8th South Carolina carried their SC state flag into Gettysburg but used their ANV flag in the fighting which was the whole point of the ANV flag. A parade situation or a marching situation is totally different from a battle situation where the ID of who is who is critical to both sides involved.

Greg Biggs