George,

Battle honors on flags for both sides help us date when they were issued. This was 99 per cent of the time after a battle so that the honor, if the unit deserved one, could be inscribed on a new set of colors. It was exceedingly rare that a flag that actually flew in a certain battle bore and honor for that battle. I can only think of maybe two CS unit flags were that happened - 8th and 20th Tennessee Infantry - both First National flags.

Greg Biggs