The name hand written on the hoist edge is cleary "CSS Tornado". I have photos of it that I will try to upload and post later on here. This one is not associated with the Alabama flags they have.
They have two flags in the collection associated with the Alabama, both donated together directly from a family related to a senior officer on the Alabama (dont have my notes with me at the moment of who that person was).
One is a CS First National that oddly has 14 stars in the circle, peek-through stars of wool bunting. One thing I noted on it was the stitching. Its completely hand sewn with well alligned straight stitches of a white thread. But the stitch spacing is a bit wider than Ive seen on most flags. First impression is that it was most likely made by a sailor using what he might know best; a heavy wide sail stitch. The star cut out peek-through is on the obverse side rather than the reverse that is more commonly seen.
Second is a larger 9 feet x 15 feet CS 2nd National. Much better workmanship on this one. Also appears to be completely hand stitched. Stars applied on both sides, star edges tucked in with a very fine tight stitch. Rope corded canvas hoist edge. The canton appears to be a tight weave but light weight bunting. The upper hoist edge appears to have had a period repair, with a triagle of different blue material sewn on at the corner of the canton, assumed for addtional strength there. The white field is a much lighter loose weave material that has a gauze-like appearance.
Both flags show some evidence of use, but are generally in rather good shape. Also noted in this donated grouping is assorted signal flags also reportedly from the Alabama.
Frederick