Joshua R. Stover

Major Joshua R. Stover

Courtesy of Eric Reiley

Quick Facts

Significance:

Confederate soldier

Place of Birth:

Strasburg, Virginia

Date of Birth:

April 29, 1824

Place of Death:

Chancellorsville Battlefield

Date of Death:

May 3, 1863

Place of Burial:

Fredericksburg, Virginia

Cemetery Name:

Fredericksburg Confederate Cemetery

Stover joined the Confederate army in 1861. He had previously served in the US Army during the Mexican American War. The Stover family had strong ties to the lower Shenandoah Valley. His great-grandfather, Peter, founded Strasburg in 1761. 

War Comes Home

Stover joined the Confederate army less than a week after the firing on Fort Sumter.
He was commissioned an officer in the "Strasburg Guards" company of the 10th Virginia, likely because of his previous military service and community connections. 
The 10th Virginia campaigned with General Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson during the 1862 Shenandoah Valley campaign. Jackson's army marched through, and fought near, Strasburg numerous times during the campaign. 

More Combat 

Stover's unit travelled with Jackson to the east side of the Blue Ridge Mountains, arriving near Richmond just in time to fight in the Seven Days Battles. Stover was wounded during Second Manassas. During the 1862 Maryland campaign, the regiment stayed in Martinsburg on detatched guard duty. Once again, the war brought Stover to the Shenandoah Valley and close to home. 

Death & Burial 

Stover was killed during the Battle of Chancellorsville. After the battle he was buried next to the amputated arm of Stonewall Jackson in the Ellwood Cemetery. After the war his remains were moved to Fredericksburg's Confederate Cemetery. A memorial cenotaph honors Stover in Strasburg's Riverview Cemetery.