I just returned home from the H.L. Hunley crew funeral in Charleston. While I was there I heard of a store in North Charleston that sold Civil War merchandise so I decided to check it out. I was very surprised to see a single battle flag for sale there. It appears to be lagitimate. It is a Cleburn's Division 8th Ark, Hardee style flag. Here is the info as it was posted on the frame:
8th Arkansas Cleburne Division
Hardee’s 3rd Corp
Central Army of Kentucky
Flag: White Moon on a blue field- Hardee Pattern
Purchased: February 2004 Greg Studdard
Location: Rome, Georgia An antique dealer who had purchased
An estate that had several flags in it. Dealer’s comment was
“That everything was historically correct”-Blue field had been
filled in as the moon and the outside white border remained but
blue was left as the remaining parts indicated tears and tatters-
Flag is sold “as-is”
The price is $5710.00
The store is:
CSA Galleries Inc.
2409 Mall Dr.
North Charleston, SC
Ph: 800.256.1861
Incidentally this store is owned by state senator Glenn McConnell who is also the chairman of the Hunley Commission.
I know that Civil War artifacts are sold regularly and I just don't approve of it. A battle flag was the most important "piece of honor" that a unit had. I think this flag belongs in a museum in Arkansas. What do Ya'll think.
Perhaps the SCV camps in Arkansas could raise the funds to return this flag home. I would gladly donate to it.
I photographed the flag and if anyone would like to see it I can email a copy.
John Atwood