Wow! Magnificent threat. I've learned more in the last half hour than I did in trying to deciphering Hardy for a year. Thanks. So here's my quandary: due to heavy casualties, the regiment I am researching was consolidated into a battalion of 5 companies, and officially designated as such. Would they still (as they had up until the consolidation) carry both national and regimental colors? I assume that they adhered to the general principles about color placement described in the thread. My study of the muster rolls showed only a very limited number of men officially "designated" as Color-Sergeant or "Color Corporal." However, a study of individual pension records showed more men described as being on the color guard. The regiment (23rd Illinois Infantry,, a.k.a. Mulligan's Irish Brigade) carried a green regimental color and had a well known, and gallant, fighting record.