Ryan,

More below:

>>>Ben, as Greg stated, according to Madaus’ methodology, if three similar flags exist an argument can be made that a given pattern was in use. I am not familiar with any documentation that links this pattern with the Staunton Depot, although all that says is that I have not seen it. However, at this point I am quite willing to accept Madaus’ conclusions based on his reputation.>>>>

Another example of a pattern are the three Macon, GA Depot flags. These are the 1st Georgia Reserves, 3rd Georgia Reserves and the 19th South Carolina. Robert Davis, an expert on Macon in the war, found at the National Archives some payroll vouchers from this depot for women making flags there. Couple that with the two aforementioned GA flags, both taken in fighting around Macon in 1865 and the 19th SC flag, which was probably retrieved by the regiment on the way from Tennessee to end the war in North Carolina, and we have a pattern. All three are virtually identical.

I do not have much on the Staunton Depot flags. I only can think of offhand maybe 3 of them. I am not sure if someone found payroll vouchers for this depot that also mentioned paying people for making flags but I would bet that is the source. I never talked to Madaus much about these flags.

>>>>Greg, thank you for the additional details on these flags. It is interesting to note that two Second Nationals were claimed to be from Patton’s Brigade. The 26th Va Btn lost its Va state flag (WD 142) at Cold Harbor in June 1864 and the replacement flag may have been one of these Second Nationals.>>>>

That's interesting and a decent possibility indeed.

>>>It is tempting to go on to suggest that the other Second National belonged to either the 22nd Va or the 23rd Va Btn but it is also possible that this flag was a brigade command flag.>>>>

That's what I have been thinking for some time as well - one or the other VA unit or maybe a brigade flag. Patton was killed in this fight so it would remain to be seen if the flag was taken from near where he fell or not.

Greg Biggs