This is from a November, 2000 email from Howie Madaus to Ken and I regarding this flag:

"Art Bergeron at Pamplin Park sent me a quote from the Richmond Whig of 6 October, 1864. It relates to the confederate Second national flag that was made in Richmond for the Louisiana Guard Artillery, retained at Appomattox Court House by Sgt. Arny, donated (I think in 1916) to the Museum of the Confederacy and now in private hands. At any rate, the quote that Art sent confirms the usage of the flag and reads that in the fighting near Ft. Gilmer (I presume 7 October, 1864), the battery, "'baptized the flag that, a few weeks ago, had been presented to them in Richmond, and had consecrated it in waging victorious battle in defense of our common Capitol."

Again, this SN is not from the Richmond Depot so it was made locally and not presented to the unit until 1864. So it would not even have been in existence in November, 1863 to have been used at Rappahannock. And, as we have already discussed, the ANV flag for the LA Guards Artillery that was taken in that fight is at Memorial Hall.

So Howie knew the history of the SN flag quite well it seems.

Fudging history to sell a flag does happen at times; I know I have seen that happen. So if it was sold to you as being taken at Rappahannock then that started somewhere before you had the flag.

Greg Biggs