HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 4

(By Delegate Rowan)

                                 January 14, 2016

Requesting the Division of Highways to name bridge number 14-50-14.95 (14A125), locally known as Frenchburg Curve Bridge, carrying U. S. Route 50, over the North Fork of the Little Cacapon River, near Augusta, Hampshire County, West Virginia, map coordinates 39.31518 - 78.65962, the "CSA LTG Thomas J. 'Stonewall' Jackson Bridge".  

Whereas, Thomas Jonathan Jackson was born in Virginia, now West Virginia, January 21, 1824; and

Whereas, Young Jackson spent many years of his youth living with an uncle, Cummins Jackson, who owned what is now Jackson's Mill near Weston, in Lewis County, West Virginia; and

Whereas, Thomas J. Jackson graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point in 1846 and was assigned to an artillery regiment sent to fight in the Mexican-American War from 1846 to 1848, where he distinguished himself in several battles; and

Whereas, Following military service with the United States Army, Jackson began teaching at Virginia Military Institute in Lexington, Virginia; and

Whereas, As the American Civil War began, Thomas J. Jackson joined the Army of the Confederate States of America, in which he reached the rank of Lieutenant General.  His practices of discipline, surprise and maneuver made him one of the most revered generals of the Confederacy; and

Whereas, At the First Battle of Bull Run, Jackson was said to have stood against the enemy as a "stone wall," earning him his famous nickname, "Stonewall" Jackson; and

Whereas, Stonewall Jackson, and the "Stonewall Brigade", as his troops were known, fought many battles in present day West Virginia and often engaged Union forces in Romney and other Hampshire County locations, because of the area's strategic importance; and

Whereas, General Stonewall Jackson was wounded by friendly fire during the Battle of Chancellorsville in Virginia and died May 10, 1863, at the age of 39; and

Whereas, The Fifth Grade Class of Augusta Elementary School in Hampshire County, West Virginia, wishes to honor the memory of West Virginia's famous general who fought many battles in their home county; therefore, be it

Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:

That the Division of Highways is hereby requested to name the bridge on U. S. Route 50, crossing the North Fork of the Cacapon River near Augusta, Hampshire County, West Virginia, map coordinates 39.31518 - 78.65962, milepost 14.95, the "CSA LTG Thomas J. 'Stonewall' Jackson Bridge"; and, be it

Further Resolved, That the Commissioner of the Division of Highways is hereby requested to erect signs at both ends of the bridge containing bold and prominent letters proclaiming the bridge the "CSA LTG Thomas J. 'Stonewall' Jackson Bridge"; and, be it

Further Resolved, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates, forward a certified copy of this resolution to the Commissioner of the Division of Highways.