General T. J. Jackson, Jackson Monument Association print [engraving]

Creator:

French, S. Bassett, Letcher, John, 1813-1884, and Walter, A. B. (Adam B.), 1820-1875

Extent:

1 items

Scope and content:

Color engraving depicting General Stonewall Jackson.

Language:

English .

Biographical / historical:

An engraved portrait of Thomas J. "Stonewall" Jackson was originally sold to help pay for a memorial at Virginia Military Institute in Lexington, Virginia. The inscriptions at the base of the print read: "Sold by authority of the Jackson Monument Association for the purpose of executing a monument to the memory of General Thomas J. Jackson at the Virginia Military Institute, Lexington, Virginia." Facsimile signature of T. J. Jackson, S. Bassett French, and Gov. John Letcher. Engraved by A. B. Walter after a photo from life (Winchester image). This print was sold during an extensive lecture tour in the 1870s.

Background: In 1869 a committee chaired by ex-Virginia Governor John Letcher began work to raise money for a memorial honoring Gen. Stonewall Jackson. These engravings were sold in large numbers beginning in 1871 as part that fundraising effort. The prints turn up for sale in Civil War memorabilia shops fairly frequently. The memorial did not actually take shape until 1896 when VMI constructed an extension to Barracks known as Jackson Memorial Hall. This building, except for the entryway into Barracks called "Jackson Arch," was torn down in 1915 and replaced with additional cadet quarters. Other local memorials include statues of Jackson that were dedicated in 1891 (located in Stonewall Jackson Cemetery on Main St. in Lexington) and in 1912 (at VMI in front of the cadet Barracks). Finally, a new Jackson Memorial Hall was constructed at VMI in 1916. It still stands today and houses the VMI Chapel and the VMI Museum.

Dimensions:

24 x 30 inches

Alternative form available:

This item is available online

Subjects:

Engravings (prints)

Names:

French, S. Bassett
Letcher, John, 1813-1884
Walter, A. B. (Adam B.), 1820-1875

Access and use