Well guys after joining the board and starting this thread on the 9th and then following up on the 10th I haven't checked it. Wow... I didn't even know I had launched such a great discussion with so many knowledgeable researchers. Greg, I was glad to learn of your interest in this flag and efforts to bring it home. That is my purpose too in part. I received an email from Tom Pearson earlier today that led me back to the board. Here's what I told Tom:

Thanks for your very informative email regarding the Georgia Coat of Arms pattern flag of the Jefferson Riflemen now in the collections of the Ohio Historical Society. I really appreciate the capture information you provided and understand fully your logical analysis of how and where it may have occurred, however, my research on this flag suggests a different history.

This unit was organized in Jefferson County Georgia in February 1836 to fight in the Second Seminole War (Florida War) 1835- 1842. I believe most of the men were from Louisville, the Jefferson county seat. The Jefferson Riflemen were part of the 2nd (Williamson's) Regiment of Georgia Volunteers in the Florida War. They were reorganized after the war in 1845 and despite the Mexican War era date that appears on this flag they did not leave the state. The unit disbanded in the years just before the Civil War so it is improbable that it was captured in battle in 1864.

You mentioned Brig. Gen Benjamin Fearing's men captured this flag. Now that I know about his association with the flag I can tell you how the flag was 'captured' as well as when and where it came into his possession. Fearing was a Colonel, commanding the 92nd Ohio Infantry, First Brigade, Third Division (Absalom Baird), XIV Army Corps on Sherman's left wing. [At the time of Sherman's March Co. A 24th Illinois Infantry was also attached to Fearing's Regt.] After being routed by Joe Wheeler's Confederate Cavalry on November 28 at Buckhead Creek Judson Kilpatrick's Cavalry Division (federal) retreated to Louisville where they sat for two days inactive. Sherman then detached Baird's Division (including Fearing's Regt.] and sent them to join Kilpatrick at Louisville with orders on December 1 to move on Wheeler at Waynesboro. The flag of the Jefferson Riflemen was not captured but rather in all probability was either taken from the court house or from a home in or near Louisville.

Thank you very much for providing so much information in your email; you provided an important key to help us unlock some of the mystery regarding this flag. Incidentally, my interest in the flag is that it represents one of the earliest examples of our first Georgia State flag. As we seem to be facing yet another change in our state flag I am arguing that we return to this pattern.

Sources:

Smith, Gordon Burns. History of the Georgia Militia, 1783-1861. Boyd Publishing. Milledgeville, GA. 2000.

Scaife, William R. The March to the Sea. Atlanta, GA. 1993.

Thanks to everyone for your helpful responses.

Terry