Tom,

More below:

>>>>>Trying to figure out the flags issued to John Gregg's Tennessee regiments has been nearly impossible. His first appearance with the regiment was around Dec 3rd, 1863 during the time Price's Corps was pulling back to the Yalobusha River line. The only possible clue I have received concerning the 3rd TN banner issued during that time came from a reenactment group during the 150th Raymond Event. I was told the 3rd TN Banner issued in Oct - Nov, 1863 was similar to the 16th TN Cassidy Style 3. I don't have a reference for this so I consider it as a possibility but needs confirmation. I understand this style flag was never issued to Hardee's Corps after Shiloh but used as a replacement as needed. What do you think?>>>>>

I always have some level of doubt when I hear flags information from a reenacting unit although some do a very good job. The 16th Tennessee had a second Polk Corps flag from the August 1862 issues that may have been lost and then recaptured at Stones River (flag is at the MOC now). The 16th TN was not at Shiloh as they were some of the several TN units sent initially to Virginia. Most came back to fight in Tennessee save three. They became part of Cheatham's Division of Polk's Corps.

It was indeed after Shiloh that the Bragg pattern flags for Polk's Corps finally showed up (they got lost getting to them as they were falling back from Columbus, KY to Corinth, MS prior to Shiloh) and carried that at least until August 1862 when the second issue Polk Corps flags came about prior to the KY Campaign. The Bragg flag for the 16th Tennessee has yet to be located - it may have been one of the rectangular versions - but it was not used for long.

The 3rd Tennessee was paroled at Vicksburg in late September 1862 and joined Gregg's Brigade in December. It is indeed enigmatic when these flags were issued other than the one for the 7th Texas which according to a source from the regiment, was May 1863 while they were in Woodville, Mississippi. I have big doubts that the 3rd Tennessee ever got any Cassidy flag at all as they were not in the right places or time frame to ever get them. Those flags were only issued to the then Army of the Mississippi at Corinth and thereafter and the 3rd Tennessee was not there to get any even the rectangular versions issued from about May through the summer of 1862.

Was Tilghman's flag the inspiration for these 15 star banners? Who knows. Until more primary sources turn up describing these flags and dates of issue we have a big hole to fill in sadly.

>>>>>Thank you very much for your comments and observation concerning the Vicksburg flags.>>>>>

I forgot another CS flag taken at Champion Hill - the First National of the 31st Alabama Infantry, which is still held in Iowa in their state collections. Has the unit designation in the white bar and a Latin Cross in the canton with a slogan and stars.

greg Biggs