Vermont HCR 304: House concurrent resolution celebrating the State House display of Julian Scott’s Civil War masterpiece, The Fourth Vermont Forming Under Fire, and thanking those individuals who facilitated this historic artistic event

Bill Text

R-362 Page 1 of 2
2026

VT LEG #389924 v.1
No. R-362. House concurrent resolution celebrating the State House display of Julian
Scott’s Civil War masterpiece, The Fourth Vermont Forming Under Fire, and
thanking those individuals who facilitated this historic artistic event.
(H.C.R.304)
Offered by Representatives Page of Newport City, Bailey of Hyde Park, Noyes of
Wolcott, and Stevens of Waterbury
Offered by Senator Westman
Whereas, the stunning Civil War painting The Fourth Vermont Forming Under Fire
depicts the 1863 Chancellorsville Campaign (Virginia) rear guard action, under the
overall leadership of Union Major General John Sedgwick of the Fourth Vermont
Regiment, gallantly protecting the critical Sixth Corps, a contingent destined to play a
major role in future battles, as both units crossed the Rappahannock River at Banks Ford
(the Fourth being the last to cross), following a fierce confrontation with the Confederate
troops under General Robert E. Lee, and
Whereas, New York patent attorney and diplomat Edwin Stoughton commissioned
Julian Scott, a Johnson native; teenage Civil War fifer, drummer, and medic; one of our
nation’s youngest Medal of Honor recipients; and the creator of the four other
magnificent Civil War paintings, including the centerpiece, The First Vermont Brigade at
the Battle of Cedar Creek, which, for decades, have adorned the Cedar Creek Room in
the State House, to artistically salute Stoughton’s nephews, the brothers Charles and
Edwin Stoughton, who served as Fourth Vermont Regiment commanders at different
times, and
Whereas, the 1872 painting remained with the family into the 20th century; in 1983, a
Texas oilman and cattleman, Patrick R. Rutherford, purchased it for his Houston, Texas,
home; and, after his death in 2020, the Rutherford estate donated the painting to the
University of Houston for temporary display and then to sell for scholarship revenue, and
Whereas, subsequently, Champlain Valley Union High School teacher and Civil War
historian Tyler Alexander, while searching for an image to use on the cover of his new
book, If I Can Get Home This Fall: A Story of Love, Loss, and a Cause in the Civil War,
found an image of the painting, and, after months of further research, he discovered that
Vermont art historian Robert Titterton had once appraised the painting, resulting in Tyler
Alexander’s learning that the artwork was then at a Houston auction house set for
imminent sale, and
Whereas, Tyler Alexander immediately informed State Curator David Schutz, who, in
turn, contacted Vermont Civil War historians Howard Coffin and Kevin Graffagnino,
and, through these historians’ timely involvement, the Manchester art collector and
Vermont Country Store owner Lyman Orton placed the successful $110,000.00 purchase
bid, and
Whereas, Lyman Orton has graciously loaned the painting for display in the Cedar
Creek Room, where a formal unveiling ceremony occurred on October 29, 2025, now
therefore be it

R-362 Page 2 of 2
2026

VT LEG #389924 v.1
Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives:
That the General Assembly celebrates the State House display of Julian Scott’s Civil
War masterpiece, The Fourth Vermont Forming Under Fire, and thanks those individuals
who facilitated this historic artistic event, and be it further
Resolved: That the Secretary of State be directed to send a copy of this resolution to
Tyler Alexander, Lyman Orton, Howard Coffin, Kevin Graffagnino, David Schutz, and
Robert Titterton.