I was under the impression that all 5 guidons and Custer's personal flag were taken as trophies. As to how many are still missing, I don't know; there is one at the LBH Monument, one for auction, and as I say I have been out of the loop for a while: was it Custer's personal standard lost at the battle that was recovered and sold at auction or was it one of his flags during the Civil War? I would appreciate if someone could clarify that point for me.

As to the valley fight, I don't know if Reno lost any of his his 3 companies' flags because he lost almost a 3rd of his command on the valley floor and the retreat across the river to the bluffs. There he was reinforced by Benteen coming up in response to Custer's famous message. Benteen chose to reinforce Reno who was in extremis instead of moving on to find Custer. That is one of the criticisms to this day although by the time Benteen could have gotten to Custer, having to wait on the pack train, he probably would have lost his command as well and Reno may have been annihilated without Benteen's timely arrival. Captain Benteen is credited with saving the rest of the 7th; Major Reno lost command of his wits during the battle although with all the criticism, especially by Libby Custer and the Custer lobby after the battle, Reno ultimately demanded a formal court martial inquiry and was acquitted.

Philip Duer