Regimental Colors of the 2nd O.V.I., Company C (Regimental Colors of the Columbus Fencibles)

Blue silk flag served as the regimental colors of the 2nd Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Company C, the "Columbus Fencibles." A perched eagle is painted at the center of the flag. A gold banner painted above the eagle features painted black text that reads: "BEAR IT WITH HON[...]ND IT WITH BRAVERY." Some of the text is no longer legible or intact due to deterioration. Portions of a gold banner remain below the eagle. The flag is edged with gold ribbon and has navy blue fringe on its top, right and bottom sides. The 2nd Ohio Volunteer Infantry was organized for three months' service on April 18, 1861, and took part in the First Battle of Bull Run. The regiment was mustered out on July 31, 1861, then reorganized for three years' service in September. Some companies in the regiment were formed from local militia units that existed at the start of the war, such as the Columbus Fencibles, which became Company C of the regiment. Major engagements in which the regiment took part include Perryville, Stones River, Chickamauga, Lookout Mountain, Mission Ridge, and the Atlanta Campaign. The regiment was mustered out in Columbus, Ohio, on October 10, 1864. Ohio battle flags were on display at the Ohio Statehouse until the 1960s, when the state formed a committee to oversee the efforts to restore the fragile flags. Some of the battle flags were on display on the Plaza Level of the Ohio Historical Society from 1970 until 1989. For conservation reasons, the flags have been in storage since 1989. In the 1960s, the collection was photographed and commercial artist Robert Needham painted illustrations of many Civil War flags. Photographs of the flags and the paintings are now part of the society's archival collections