|
|
We have been trying to find any flags used by the 38th that may have survived the war, and more than 130 years of mankind, so far that search has been fruitless. So with the information we have on hand it has been surmised that the 38th fought under at least two of the following banners.
As has been stated in the 38th's History page they were formed in March of 1862, and sent to Corinth MS. They were placed under the command of Colonel John D. Martin's brigade of General Henry Little's Division, attached to the "Army of the West" which was later changed to the "Army of the Tennessee" under the command of General Earl VanDorn, and General Sterling Price.
This flag was used by many units such as the 4th Missouri Infantry, & the 15th Arkansas Infantry. As far as I can tell the 38th used this flag until the fall of Vicksburg in 1863. In the Time-Life book "Echoes of Glory ~ Arms and equipment of the Confederacy" several of the old army units continued using this flag after being transferred to the "Department of Alabama, Mississippi, & East Louisiana.". The 38th surrendered their colors with the fall of Vicksburg. So when they reformed in late 63 and were given horses by General Leonidas Polk they came under the command of General Nathan B. Forrest.
The Department of Alabama, Mississippi, & East Louisiana used the flag bellow which was a pattern that seems to come from Mobile, and was made famous by General Forrest. According to "The Flags of the Confederacy" by Devereaux D. Cannon Jr., pages 60-61 this flag came in several different sizes, with a small version (37" by 46 ") being issued to the cavalry units under the General's command.
If anyone obtains information concerning flags used by the 38th please contact us.