No need to thank me for responding, I would present a joke here but some just can’t handle it.

You can very well do what you wish with your property, however to presume a privilege that is not yours is a bit over the top. As I explained earlier in this and other post, if I receive something that the original owner ask that I not share, I honor that request, past, present & future. You don’t stay in business long being dishonest.

For the meat of the subject, IF we go by your sources, ( Richard Rollins ), the first story is, (condensed here since you have already posted it ), Lee received a 2nd National (Ladies of Richmond) and it was passed along to the 32nd NC. Once at Carlisle it was decided that that it was too small so they took the 3rd bunting ANV of the 32nd and had it made into a 2nd National. That there states, again by your source, that two 2nd Nationals were present at Gettysburg, repeat, your source. You also presumed that those who transformed the battle flag into a 2nd National, that they used bunting procured from the U. S. Army Depot. If that is true then the probable 32nd NC 2nd National at the MoC is not that flag, the one ANV transformed into a 2nd National. The field of the probable 32nd flag at the MoC is made of flannel, per the MoC, their textile experts.

Back to the one Lee received and passed down the line, per your source, it was made by the “Ladies” of Richmond, are these the same “Ladies” who made flags for the depot? I don’t know but maybe you have some insight on that. It is true that bunting was in short supply, but the ANV sent to the 32nd was made of bunting. One could assess the ability of the “Ladies” making the 2nd Nationals for Jeff Davies and General Lee out of bunting. It is also plausible that they used flannel for the field. Howard’s statement that it was a Richmond made 2nd National, would be correct, even if it was not made to the same specifications of the later issues, as you stated they were short on supply of English Bunting.

Just an aside, cotton flannel was readily available throughout the war and many flag makers used it as a substitute for bunting. On the other hand, wool flannel was a bit more difficult to secure, the meat was more valuable. I hope I don’t have to explain the deference between bunting and flannel again, just read my post of several months back, if a refresher is needed.

Happy Trails!
Tom Martin
www.Confederate-flags.org