Hi,

I am trying to track something down and I hope someone here can help me.

The state of Iowa has a Red Palmetto Flag (SC State Flag, with a red background) that was captured in Mobile in 1865 by the 20th Iowa. A google search showed the only battle the 20th Iowa fought in during their time in Mobile was the battle of Fort Blakeley. There was only one SC unit there, Culpeper's Battery. One would think.........

But, and its a couple of big buts. Culpeper's Battery was at the 9th redoubt and the 20th Iowa overran the 4th. Several people have been searching and we have reached out to people in Alabama that may know, but we can't place Culpeper's at the 4th or Iowa at the 9th.

To further complicate the issue, the flag historian in Iowa provided an except of a letter from the Private in the 20th Iowa from whom they received the flag.

He said, and I'm paraphrasing, "I also got a SC red Palmetto flag and how it got to Alabama, I do not know".

Now, in my mind, that is a red flag, no pun intended, in that I would think (and I'm no expert here) that if the flag was originally captured at Fort Blakeley, the Private that captured it would know that.

The Iowa flag historian is continuing his search (between all other duties) but it appears that a big brick wall is firmly in place. A Red Palmetto flag in the Civil War was rare.

To further complicate or simplify, depending on your outlook, is the fact that the Citadel cadets were reported as flying a Red Palmetto when they fired on the Star of the West. Culpeper's Battery was made up of Citadel cadets and graduates. On the one hand, this appears to be a "slam dunk", but on the other, it may be clouding the issue.

We have looked at the ORs, but there is nothing definite there.

If anyone can direct me to any new areas to research, or has any information, I would be most appreciative.