Thanks, Greg, for helping to sort it out. Appreciate your timeline thoughts and information about Belknap's records. Awhile back, Bob Bradley of the Ala. State Archives shared some of his ideas with me as well, as have the folks at the Auburn Univ. Archives about how/when the final flag might have made its way to the regiment.

The brigade commander, Brig Gen John Creed Moore resigned and headed back to Texas following his outspoken criticism of his commanders -- what he openly considered as nothing short of criminal mismanagement at Lookout Mtn, particularly by J.K. Jackson ... so Alphehus Baker was given command (by Feb 1864) which meant Baker's familiar 40th and 42nd Ala (which, as you pointed out, had come up with him from Mobile around Nov-Dec 1863), where they folded in the remnants of Moore's old brigade (including the 37th Ala) at Dalton.

Thanks again for your efforts and for sharing your expertise!