Ben,

>>>>Use of company colors was an expedience due to desperation. I am pretty sure, based on the record, that the 32nd Alabama, mustered in April of 1862, had a fine regimental by October; unless they lost it at Battle Creek? >>>>

Maybe they had a regimental flag - maybe not. I have record of company flags still be issued in April/May 1862. I have found nothing on this regiment getting a regimental flag. Battle Creek/Bridgeport was a small affair as well and I found nothing in the OR about any flags being taken there but that does not mean that a flag wasn't as we know.

But as I stated, the 15th Mississippi used company colors at Mill Springs in January 1862 as did other units I have files for. Some regiments never got regimental flags until they became part of one of the corps in the west that had their distinctive flags. Based on who the 32nd Alabama was with from August 1862 onward they did not seem to get a Polk Corps or Hardee Corps flag as they were not associated with either, nor, it seems, with Bragg's old corps.

I do have in my files an account of the flag of the 32nd Alabama being used at Murfreesboro in December 1862 but the account does not describe it. Was it another company flag pressed into use for that battle as with the 1st Tennessee who used a flag of the Rock City Guards who had their Polk Corps flag shot to shreds at Murfreesboro?

Right now all we have for a definite and described flag for this regiment is that it had words on it. Believe me - I hope that much more can be found.

Greg Biggs