Well some good news, I am about 95% done on the Union captured Crater flags. The pieces are starting to match up finally. Also, MG. Wheeler claimed he captured, "18 Flags" during and after the battle of Chickamauga. I have only found two to this day. I bought a book the other day called "Failure In The Saddle" by David A. Powell. A book on Confederate cavalry commanders and their battles and what went wrong. On page, 186, Mr. Powell had this to say.
"Joe Wheeler embellished his success when he reported that Watkin's (Union Kentucky Cav brigade) that fought against Wheeler. That Wheeler reported Watkin's command of "Nearly 2,000" was "badly scattered". That he (Wheeler) captured 400 pows, as well as "18 stand of colors and secured their entire train, numbering about 90 wagons, loaded with valuable baggage."
Watkin's Kentucky Cavalry brigade (Union) only numbered 600-700 men. The 5th Kentucky Cavalry had departed, thus only about 400 men were in the brigade left. There were at least 400 sick Union soldiers in the wagons as well. Watkin's admitted he lost 53 wagons. "Wheeler's claim that he captured eighteen stand of colors is inexplicable." "At best, Watkin's men would only have stands for the three regiments in their brigade. Perhaps Wheeler was double-counting and/or taking credit for some of the flags captured in the infantry fight. In any case, it was a grandiloquent claim."
Now I have only found two flags captured by Wheeler's men. The 89th Ohio put one of their flags in their settler's wagon for safe keeping and the 6th Kentucky Cav, lost a guidon.
That is one of the most puzzling 16 flags to find. I have searched in many places and have not found anything else, but I will continue and if it takes another ten years so be it.
Have a great New Years, Charles!
Shawn Prouty