Universal York

Rewalt family in Minnesota
Much has been written about Mary Jane Magee Rewalt of Wrightsville. Confederate General John B. Gordon and his staff were treated to breakfast at her house in June 1863, after the rebel soldiers pitched in to save the town from burning.
The story goes that Gordon thought Mrs. Rewalt might be a Confederate sympathizer, but that she set him straight, telling him that her husband was serving with the Union army, and making clear which side she wanted to be victorious.
We hardly ever hear anything about her husband, Dr. Luther Rewalt, who served as a surgeon with the 25th Pennsylvania Volunteers. I did, however, find the item below in the May 18, 1866 edition of the Wrightsville newspaper, the York County Star:

Dr. L. L. Rewalt

Having returned from the Army, continues the practice of Medicine & Surgery and may be found at all times, when not professionally engaged elsewhere, at his residence on Hellam Street, between Second and Third, South side, in the Borough of Wrightsville.
Having had much experience in the surgical department whilst in the Army, and in the hospital at Washington City, D.C. He tenders his professional service to the citizens of Wrightsville and vicinity, with confidence in his ability to treat all cases committed to his care, with success.

Sometime later, Luther and Mary Jane and their five children moved west, living in Fulda, Minnesota and Madison, South Dakota. The image above has been identified as the Rewalts in Minnesota. It was recently shared with the York County Heritage Trust Archives by a friend.

The Rewalts were married shortly before the date on this card
For more on the Rewalts, click here for my previous post, including my Sunday News column on Mary Jane and the General.
Click here for another Gordon and York County story.