Bill Text: MI HCR0014 | 2017-2018 | 99th Legislature | Engrossed

Michigan House Concurrent Resolution 14 (Prior Session Legislation)

Bill Title: A concurrent resolution to memorialize the Congress of the United States to award a posthumous Medal of Honor to Sergeant Thomas Henry Sheppard for his actions during the Civil War.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)

Status: (Passed) 2017-10-18 - Adopted By Senate - Referred To The Clerk For Record [HCR0014 Detail]

Download: Michigan-2017-HCR0014-Engrossed.html

HCR14, As Adopted by Senate, October 18, 2017

Reps. Hernandez, Hertel, Howell, Noble, Sowerby, Reilly, Farrington, Ellison, Moss, Chirkun, Elder, Green, Jones, Lasinski, Marino, Maturen, Sabo, Zemke and Hoadley offered the following concurrent resolution:

House Concurrent Resolution No. 14.

A concurrent resolution to memorialize the Congress of the United States to award a posthumous Medal of Honor to Sergeant Thomas Henry Sheppard for his actions during the Civil War.

Whereas, A most remarkable—and long overlooked—sustained act of patriotism and honor in U.S. military history is credited to Sgt. Thomas Henry Sheppard of Michigan’s Almont, Marlette, and Imlay City area, during his service as flag bearer for Company E, First Michigan Cavalry, in the Civil War; and

Whereas, These actions include riding with his oversize personal flag in multiple engagements with Confederate troops in Stonewall Jackson’s Shenandoah Valley Campaign of 1862 and in the Battle of Gettysburg of 1863; and

Whereas, These actions also include secreting his flag on his person after being wounded in the Battle of Gettysburg, subsequently keeping his flag safely hidden by wrapping it around his body during 505 days as a prisoner of war in Andersonville and other Confederate camps, all the while risking severe punishment or even execution; and

Whereas, Sgt. Sheppard and his flag received wide recognition at multiple Civil War reunions and other events, as reported in newspaper accounts in the late 19th century; and

Whereas, The Sheppard flag, punctured by 72 bullet holes, has been authenticated as genuine after having been restored and preserved for permanent display at the Dearborn Historical Museum; and

Whereas, Sgt. Sheppard never received official recognition for his sustained act of patriotism and honor; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), That we memorialize the Congress of the United States to award a posthumous Medal of Honor to Sergeant Thomas Henry Sheppard for his actions during the Civil War; and be it further

Resolved, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to the President of the United States Senate, the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, and the members of the Michigan congressional delegation.