I have another version of a Rucker's Brigade Flag that I picked up at an auction where many items from the estate of Colonel George Spaulding ( 12 Tennessee US ) were sold. Either Spaulding or a Captain Joseph Boyer was in a famous sword fight with Rucker - sabres were alleged to have been traded in the hand to hand fight, and Boyer or some unknown soldier is said to have shot Rucker at the time Rucker and his flag were captured - on Granny White Pike , Brentwood Tennessee per the individual who referred me to this site.

Seems as much confusion and controversy over this sabre fight and Rucker and there is about his flag's capture and format. The one I have is museum framed. It is 36" x 36" which is what I have been told is the standard for a Cavalry Flag - Rucker was Cavalry and in/under Chalmers' and Forrest's command structure. Flag also is on a RED cotton background with White Cross Stripes and there are NO stars on it. I have seen this style in Blue before, but never in Red. Over the cross point are the Letters A.V.C. - Alabama Volunteer Cavalry or Corps, and under the cross point is the number " 7 " - all of these " fit " with Ruckers Brigade command stuctures. Frame has the flag identified as an Artillery Flag which is probably because of the inverted crossed canon to the right of the cross point ( does not indicate Artillery, but rather, a Union artillery battery capture at some point in time.) Flag is in pretty good shape, hand stitched, butternut crosses - not white, and has about 8 bullet holes in it. Also has holes where nails or tacks were used to attach the flag at one point in time to a guidon pole. It has two patches on it one that is above the AVC that says Ruckers, and one below the " 7 " that says Brigade. Both patches are lettered in 1800's type - ink letters. I personally believe this to be an elaborate fake or one of those reproductions referred to in the email string that was created by the ladies of Alabama - I have shared this info with the Rucker's Chapter of the Daughters of the Confederacy in Birmingham and will be presenting it to them at some point when I can get to Birmingham. Flag is at my second home in Texas - I returned it South after acquiring it up North last summer. Happy to send anyone who will provide an email, a couple of photos of the flag. for comment. Even if fake, has given me much pleasure re research and study of Rucker ( who very little is known other than his position at Birmingham Steel, his loss of an arm in the Brentwood, the fight referred to above, the fact that he was a colonel and NOT a general - at least until after the war where he was provided the honorary title, and the fact that Fort Rucker is name for him - interesting to me as I did helicopter training there in the late 60's. )

Anyone with any reference material on Rucker, please do not hesitate to let me know at the email indicated JJensen543@msn.com