But come to think about it, what really could be different from the "58 Returned Union Colors" I found on microfilm at the LOC, two years ago? These colors were the only ones to be "identified."
So I am starting to think I already have the list. There were at least 200 more Union flags the War Department had but could not identify and thus they were (I assume) never returned.
I am curious to what did happen to the "unidentified" Union colors? Did the War Department keep them for another 20-50 years? Were they donated to a museum?
Now the hard part is identifying where these Union colors were recaptured and how many. Petersburg, Sailor's Creek and Appomattox Court House had a few Union Colors "recaptured." Custer's HQ Swallowtail was recaptured at Sailor's Creek.
Then you had 300-400 Union colors captured and were in Richmond until the fires spread. How many flags were saved there?
Well the good news is, I am almost done with all of my magazines (searching for captured Union flags and Confederate.)
I do believe I have knocked out all the popular captures, the OR's, The War Department's list, my books, magazines etc.
I do have millions of questions still.
Have a good day,
Shawn Prouty