John S. and I talked today and he also thinks there is no proof that this flag was captured at Nashville in December, 1864.
I cannot forget Alabama and its connection with the Aberdeen flag as it was carried by a company of the 7th Alabama Cavalry when that regiment joined the brigade.
Also, the ADAH has a model of the proposed Alabama state flag for after the war that predates its official adoption, so there seems to have been discussion about the design for a time before it became official.
We still have nothing to go on for the flag in question ever being with Rucker or at Nashville.
Greg Biggs