Not sure if this has been brought up before but I'd like to voice my opinion on it.
The flag bearers were vital during the civil war, not only as a moral signature but also as a way to inform the men of a particular unit of where they need to be and where the unit leader was.
I love the fact that the flag bearer was implemented in the game but I feel a lack of unimportance and ability for it makes it so pointless. My suggestions and thoughts for it are to add a melee ability to it and possibly a chant feature. Really anything that will add a sense of purpose to the players that play it.