Aiken

[Laurie Verge]

Christine,

I agree with everyone that Aiken is a totally confusing figure to try and analyze. I can't find a concrete thread that identifies him completely Union or Confederate. Could he have enlisted in the Union army because of the bounty that was being offered?

I have never seen a reference to the military commission challenging his loyalty; but based on what you have discovered, I sure would.

As for keeping an enemy's battle flag, I think there is a 50-50 possibility that he might -- largely depending upon whether or not it was a flag that his unit (or himself) was able to capture.

Herb calls Aiken an enigma, and I have to agree.