Dave
.. The chicken/rooster staff tip was found by a creek that was at the outskirts of action during an engagement south of Richmond. Federals first occupied the turf to protect their escape route.. this was found to be the 2nd US (USCT) Cavalry.... once the Feds rapidly scooted off.. Dunnovants SC Cavalry occupied the area.. Not sure when the SC "Gamecocks" mascot reference and title came into being.. but maybe a possibility...

Signal flags... I wouldnt want to be up on a platform or signal tower trying to maintain control of a 6x6 much less a 10-12 footer in a brisk wind...

Behind the house where I grew up south of Richmond was indicated on many period maps had a CS signal tower on the river.. they relayed data up and down the river via same... Saw period photo of one of them further down the line after the Feds took the area, they were constructed quite large and very tall... quite an engineering feat just using rough sawd logs. We never did figure out exacty where it was, nor any excavated evidence..

Frederick