The quote is from p. 173, "Vickory carried the 'regimental standard,' a yellow flag."
From Camp's notes of an interview with August Seifert in Liddic and Harbaugh's "Custer and Company" p 72: "Sgt Robert Hughes, who was killed with Custer, carried the Regimental flag. It was yellow flag with an eagle." Seifert said that Vickory carried Custer's flag, and I think he's wrong about the flag bearers.
I don't think these statements are strong enough to prove that the flag lost was a yellow flag. But I believe the evidence that a flag was lost is strong enough. I could find no statement by a 7th Cavalryman or anyone but Graham that confirms Graham's contention that the flag was carried furled and packed away with the pack train.
Kanipe said the flag was lost. (also in Hardorff above)
The 7th Cavalrymen at the Washington, DC Soldiers Home said the flag was lost. (Graham's own pamphlet on 7th Cavalry flags)
Dr Paulding who was with Gibbon's command said the flag was lost. (letter to his mother)
An enlisted man of the 7th Inf said that the flag was lost. (an 1876 interview in New York paper)
In the late 1920's the Seventh Cavalry itself didn't know what happened to its flag and requested information about its possible replacement from the Adjutant General who checked with the QM Department which didn't know either.
The flag in the Battlefield collection is unquestionably a 7th Cavalry standard from that era. It could have been retired before the battle, or it could be a replacement for one that was lost.
I doubt that there is any test that could be done on the Battlefield flag that could prove that it was carried furled and packed away on 25 Jun 1876 or could prove anything more than the near date of its manufacture and the name of the contractor who supplied it, which would be nice to know in any case.
Sgt Vickory was indeed killed on Custer Hill as were a large number of F Co men. He could have been there simply as a member of his company if the flag had been retired. However the references to Vickory are that he carried the flag not that he "usually" carried the flag.
Why would Custer retire the regimental standard before the first shot was fired, while he carried his own personal flag and all the regiment's guidons into the fight?
The ways of the National Park Service are indeed strange. Why such reverance for a flag so shamefully carried tucked away? Why it's hardly a relic at all.
Here is the topic posting from our site
http://thelbha.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=questions&action=display&thread=140&page=1
Again study the 1868 photo and you will see a Light color flag