Ken
...If I may be permitted to chime in... a discussion... what we do know... what we seek to know...
Granted most consider Madaus "Staunton" label based upon several ideals and fragmented evidence. Most all other depot issue flags tend to carry the title of the depot thought to have been issued out of. Since these respective flags appear to follow a valley association I dont think its out of scope to have applied the theory with Staunton. Granted I do not have his notes nor all the details why such link was initially established, but as theories go, good enough till proven otherwise. Easy enough to alter, augment or change when better data comes along suggesting otherwise..... Many seem to be more hung up on the choice of label used. Yes there seems to be sparce suggestive evidence yet surfaces that could confirm these with Staunton... I dont recall it being claimed a solid in stone label...just a based theory... Do we have any conclusive evidence that the origin is something else yet.... to dictate the label be changed. Maybe calling it a "ANV-Valley" pattern flag would be more generic and appropriate applied term for this purpose.
Richmond.... Yes many of the quarterly and annual returns and books are missing... that would be too easy and only a handfull of pages to surf through..... however much of the invoices and pay vouchers for goods and services rendered mostly seem to have survived.... but there are many thousands of them... takes time to dig... Thus far I havent found any reference of flags being requisitioned or shipped/sent to Staunton from Richmond through the depot system...
Staunton.... It was established as the primary supply source for operations in the valley... Some ready made goods were being forwarded from Richmond for dispursements there... Others contracted from local sources.... Have been tracking, following and comparing the exchanges and documents of items and goods between these two depots.... Digging through the thousands of hay, corn, oats, leather, lumber, hides, horses, mules, nails, shoe purchases and vouchers to see if I can locate anything flag related.... Unfortunately the vouchers are filed under the business or individuals name that sold or provided the service... Cant google Staunton or Flag and poof there it is.... Thus far have not found anything of substance relating to flags being contracted for or purchased... doesnt mean they dont exist... just having found them yet if they do...
Valley.... One of the research angles I tend to employ is alternate sourses and extended possibilities for additional clues... Takes a great deal more effort and time but frequently find additional pieces of a puzzle ellusive to all else..... As far as Staunton... also taking notes of who and where they are obtaining goods and services from... one of those sourses might provide additional clues... whether it might have came through the depot system or maybe the brigade or division dealt directly with a maker.... thats what Im chasing to try to find out... Limited to the environs of just Staunton... no... Items and goods were frequently purchased and exchanged in Charlottesville, Lexington, Waynesboro, Harrisonburg and even Winchester... anyone in any of those areas could also be a possible source.... whether through the depot or not.... Most of the activities noted to be up and down the valley... very little noticed with localities east of there beyond Charlottesville....
Military.... systematicly going through the QM records of not just those assigned or stationed at Staunton, but also the district, division, brigade, and regimental levels of those units that served in that region during the time frame in question. Also the respective Ord records... since Ive frequently found QM/Ord goods shipments compiled and listed together.... Previously found lots of Qm goods listed on Ord invoices in Richmond.... so not rare to find as a shipping habit...
Is it possible that these flags could have come from another source outside of the standard QM procurements?... I personally think its very feasible.... Personally I suspect this be the case on these flags.... Many of the units of Whartons Division were native units of the valley... so lots of evidence of the local folks tended to have a bit of concern and personal affection to the welfare and needs of these troops... Noting letters found that at least one occurance of a lady from Fishersville (between Charlottesville and Staunton) visiting some units stationed nearby that had relatives in it.... noted their existing flag was not much more than tatters... she personally made a replacement and gave it to the unit in April 1864.... but did not find any evidence she made any others.... So flags being made locally and simply given away to units in need serving in that region is not a foreign concept or possibility.... Nor would they normally show up on any QM accounts or records... Since the suriving flags so labeled appear to be identical in pattern and charactoristics I would reasonably assume a possible single maker(s) source... whether it actually went through the depot or not... yet to be determined... but the chase is on.... "ANV-Valley" flag revisited.....
Frederick