I was perusing a Weider History Group magazine titled "Lincoln's Genius" yesterday and noticed the following photograph image on page 51:

A rectangular red flag with white borders on 3 sides, containing a crescent moon (white) and 4 1/2 white stars on the red background. It basically looked like a Van Dorn Army of the West type flag. There was NO regimental unit indication on it, just the pattern described here.

The magazine caption for this flag described it as being the flag of the 17th Arkansas Infantry, being captured at Port Hudson, LA on July 9, 1863.

I looked at the picture credit in the back of the magazine and was further confused; 3 separate acknowledgements were made: (1) www.historicalimagebank.com, (2) Heritage Auction Gallergies, Dallas TX, and (3) Library of Congress.

!!?!?!?!?!?!?!!?!?

I am particularly intrigued since I have never heard of any extant flag for the 17th Arkansas Infantry. I am also confused since the 17th Arkansas Infantry that I am familiar with was not surrendered at Port Hudson, but was still active outside Port Hudson as the 11th & 17th Consolidated Arkansas Infantry, being part of John L. Logan's cavalry brigade.

Could this flag possibly be legit???? Apparently there was a detachment of the 17th Arkansas Infantry that was captured when Port Hudson fell.....see: http://www.geocities.com/enlistedman/17th_inf.html

Any/all expertise, input, help, etc. is VERY greatly appreciated...!!!!!

y.v.o.s.,

Kenneth Byrd

p.s. - just found out from ARCWMB friends that this supposed 17th Arkansas flag is in the collections of the Old State House Museum in Little Rock, AR. Stay tuned......!!!!!