Signed CDV - Martin L. Stover Professor, Pennsylvania College, Gettysburg - Had Great Battle "Story"! / SOLD
Signed CDV - Martin L. Stover Professor, Pennsylvania
College, Gettysburg - Had Great Battle "Story"! - Inventory Number:
CDV 406 / SOLD
In the book, Fire Storm at Gettysburg - Civilian Voices by J. Alexander, there is a great story about Dr. Martin Luther Stover who was a professor at Gettysburg College, or as it was called then Pennsylvania College. Below is the story scanned from that book.
The CDV was published by Wenderoth, Taylor & Brown of Philadelphia. The corners have been trimmed but the image presents a fine portrait of the old professor with his long beard. Judging from the name "Martin Luther" Stoever it is a safe assumption that he was Lutheran! The CDV has a nice signature of Stover on the back: "M. L. Stoever Prof. in Penn. College Gettysburg"
For the Gettysburg collector, this is a great opportunity to buy a civilian CDV with a story!
Martin Luther Stoever, 43, had begun to study for the ministry, but became a teacher instead. He was the first alumnus of Pennsylvania College to occupy a Professorship at the school. His subjects were History and Latin. The Stover family remained at home during the battle. By the afternoon, their dining room had become a hospital because so many wounded stumbled into their doorway.
Sue Elizabeth Stoever's father, Dr. Martin Luther Stover, was a professor at Gettysburg College (Pennsylvania College. He and his family lived on the southwest corner of the Diamond on Baltimore street. A humanitarian, Dr. Stover could not wait to see what he could do to help outside:
"His first encounter was not reassuring. General Early was dashing along with bluster and self-importance. Stopping, he raised his finger and said: 'I know you. I saw you up at that window last Friday.
"On that Friday afternoon, Dr. Stover and his wife had watched the proceeding from a second-story window, and the estimable Doctor, owing to his resemblance to a United States Government official, had been unpleasantly marked in the Rebel General's mind. Early's other duties, however, forbade investigation just then, and the Doctor moved on to meet, a few steps beyond, one of his former pupils, an army surgeon on patrol, who greeted his old professor warmly, and then introduced his companion, Dr. Ward of Wis-consin.
Oh, I am so glad to find you just at this moment!, said Dr. Stoever, 'Won't you come with me? There are twenty wounded men on my dining-room floor. During the retreat, forty soldiers crowded into my yard, bringing these poor fellows with them.
"I am just as glad to meet you, my dear Professor, especially when you need relief, but we are under Rebel rule and must first ask permission.'
"General Ewell, then in charge of the town, granted leave, but detailed Major Watson (CSA) to accompany the surgeons.
"During the professional visit, Dr. Stout drew aside his old instructor, saying:
'We are very hungry. We have had nothing to eat today. Can you give us something?'
"Dr. Stover smiled assuringly, and started off to find his kind wife, who, looking 'well to the ways of her household,' had baked bread that morning and tempting cherry pies.
"Of course, it would not do to pass by the attendant, Major Watson, so handing him refreshments, the Doctor, with characteristic sincerity and a touch of humor, said:
"The Good Book commands me to give my enemy food, if he hungers,"
"The Major gracefully received the hospitality, replying: 'We do not have such a luxury as cherry pie in Alabama.'
"Caspar Stover, just 13, had longed in boyish enthusiasm to serve as a soldier.
Now he was moving about offering the cup of cold water,' just as worthy of reward, to the thirsty heroes.
*Your boy is making himself useful,' remarked the Confederate officer.
"Yes,' replied his uncompromising father, 'and he is a strong Union boy.'
"On parting, the northern scholar and the southern soldier shook hands cor-dially, the latter saying: 'We can be friends, although we differ. If you are troubled by any of our men molesting you, just threaten to report them to me.'
"This advice was followed and acted like a charm, when any annoyance from the Louisiana Tigers, who plundered while others fought, threatened the peaceful house-hold."
Comes housed in riker display case with black velvet backing and descriptive card.