Another thing the Citadel people totally ignored was the fact that ships DID use other flags or saluting purposes - they still do. Thus, a ship - commercial or warship -have flag lockers with a number of flags in them for such purposes. I commend to your examination the report of the VA state assembly with regards to flags and wool bunting captured in 1861 when VA state troops took over the former US Navy yard at Gosport, VA (Norfolk). There were LOADS of flags of all types there!

Mobile had several known flag makers and ships came in and out of there all the time before Farragut closed the entrance in August, 1864 trapping four blockade runners inside for the duration. The flag could have come from one of them. Saluting flags do not fly for long periods in a breeze so they do not wear out like ship's ensigns or jacks do from constant use. They are basically used for the salute and then lowered.

Regarding their flag expert Ben Hudson - I had nothing to do with bashing him other than challenging his findings in a nice manner. I emailed him very politely. Why he is not sending his findings to me - or anyone else - has nothing to do with any alleged treatment here. It has everything to do with the full knowledge that he has not found ANY proven flags for Hugh Vincent other than the FN at Sumter. He knows it and I know it and Tom martin knows it and so does everyone else who has seen this report.

Basically, after being rejected here and then rejected by our flags group because they could not prove their case, they found Mr. Hudson who would do so and used him. I can state categorically, that one of the Citadel people that we worked with last year on this for over a month's worth of emails basically stated, "well they don't want to help us!" That translates to "they do not want to sign off on the flag in Iowa being Big Red so let's go."

That's historical research???????? It is more like what an 8 year old would say when he does not get his own way.

Personally, I wish Iowa would NOT send this flag to the Citadel. What the CHC has done with this report has tarnished the name of that fine school. They simply do not deserve to have it on display - and I guarantee you that they will display it as "Big Red from Morris Island, 1861.

Greg Biggs