While the Red Palmetto Flag (7'x 10') may seem too large for a battle flag, it could have been used periodically as a company or headquarter's banner, considering Culpeper's Battery guidon was used primarily to identify the artillery unit as PBLA Co."C".

Citadel Cadets participated in the firing on the Star of the West and Ft. Sumter where the Red Palmetto Flag was flown and identified by eyewitnesses. Officers in Culpeper's Battery, also Citadel Cadets, were involved in the firing on Ft. Sumter and possibly the Star of the West. The brother of one officer, Isaac Harby Moses a Citadel Cadet, was at the Morris Island battery with other Cadets on Jan.9, 1861 to fire on the Star of the West. The notoriety and historical significance of both events may have led Culpeper's Battery to select the Red Palmetto Flag for their personal banner.

Both the Red Palmetto Flag and the Palmetto Guard Flag flew at Cumming's Point during the bombardment of Ft. Sumter April 12, 1861. The Palmetto Guard Flag (which is on display at Ft. Sumter's Museum) would later fly during the Battle of 1st Bull Run, Va. where it was struck three times. The Palmetto Guard flag was (6'x9') very close in size to the Red Palmetto Flag's dimensions of (7'x10') and yet it was definitely used as a company flag in battle.

Ben