Hello Jeff,

The 2nd National of the 32nd was made (and presented) by the Ladies of Mobile. Cotton Cambric (for the time period) is a homespun linen with a satiny finish, very smooth and glossy, one of several homespun answers for silk used to make dress and other fine clothing, (undergarments). In a photo, the flag could look like it was made of silk.

Howard’s reference to “cotton letters”, from my experience with his data sheets, he was referring to a cotton linen or other homespun cotton cloth. Bunting / muslin, has a very lose weave and is not practical to use in sewing lettering. The stars & fimbration on the 32nd’s 2nd National flag are made of cotton cloth, most likely a homespun linen (cotton sheeting in modern teams). The leading edge of the 32nd’s flag is folded over and it has what appears to be two wholes for use with ties for attachment, the ties do not survive.

On the 22nd Alabama flag, is that a 2nd National or their battle flag used at Shiloh or red silk battle flag with gold color stars? If it’s a 2nd National, I would like a copy of the data sheet on the flag or the name of the museum that it is at.

Happy Trails!
Tom Martin