The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1895-11-24

Won are crying because you are not
married. Well, here is the minister
and here is Captain Custer, who |
know would be glad to carry off such
a psetty bride from the Southern Com
fetleracy.' She managed to dry her
tears and reply, Captain Lea, you are
Just as mean as you can be-. Supper
was announced. Mrs. Lea taking the
arm of her husband, while Custer es-
carted Cousin Maggie?e
The next day Custer returned to
camp to learn that General Mcclellan,
had gone to Yorktown. A telegram
was dispatched and an answer soon
returned. giving Custer permission to
remain with his "Rebel' friends as
long as he wished. He remained for
nearly two weeks. until the near APP
proach of the Southern army to Will
liamsbure and the departure of our
own army, rendered a longer stay dam
gerous. Tin more senses than one).
Lea's friends had done all in their
power TO make the visit of Custer, one
of genuine pleasure, Cousin Maggie"
even playing ON the piano and singing
Dixie" Bonnie Blue Flag" My
Maryland, . For Southern Rights Hur-
rah'' and other songs of the day. then
popular in the South.
Soon after Clusters departure, Lea
was exchanged and joined his regi-
ment in the field. Custer from Cap
tain rose to the rank of Brigadier-Gen-
eral, then Maior-General and Comman-
der of Division of calvary.
Colonel Lea for Captain Lea had
risen to that rank) and his regiment
took part in the campaign of 1864,
under General Jubal A. Early, in the
valley of the Shenandoah, and though
not meeting Custer, they frequently
heard of. or from each other through
prisoners. each being always eager to
learn something regarding the other.
On the 9th OF April, 1865, at Apo
mattox Court House, during the ces-
sation OF hostilities, while Generals
Grant and Lee, We're arranging the
terms for the capitulation of the army
of Northern Virginia, the writer, then
in command of Artillery attached to
Clusters Division, mounted his horse,
rode through the Confederate lines in
search of friend who had been killed
the night before, in the last charge
made by the Division. Having been
successful in this sad mission, / turn
ed and while slowly riding back to my
command. was addressed by a Confed-
crate Colonel, who called out, Hello
9anl<, where are yon going; replying
ITO my command" came the question,
what command 2" and the answer
followed. Casters Division of Cayal-
ry.'' The Confederate Colonel said
slowly and with some interest, what
George Custer's?s / almost immedi-
ficer as Colonel John W. Lea, Of the 9Th
North Carolina Infantry, and / soon
prevailed upon him and his companion,
(who | always supposed to be his Adj
iutant, but whose identity ] have never
been able TO establish to accompany
me to Clusters headquarters. As we
approached, some of the staff called
the Generals attention to rs, and he
partly arose from reclining
position. Colonel Lea seeing him,
called out, well, George, what
are you'ns going to do with
we'ns?" Custer sprang TO his
feet, was quickly at Lea's side. threw
his arms about him, lifted him from his
horse and seated him upon the ground
as tenderly as If he had been a young
girl. IN hour or more was pleasantly
spent recalling the past, West Point
life, LEAFS marriage, question after
question regarding his wife and
Cousin Maggie
At last ii was officially ANNOUNCED
that the army of Northern Virginia
had surrendered to the army Of the Po-
toulac and though all were Glad that
the ..cruel war" was over. vet Lea with
sorrowful heart bid adieu TO Custer
and returned to his own people.
Custer and Lea never met again.
Colonel Lea after the war became an
Episcopal clergyman. Both are now
dead.
Under the sod and the dew, waiting
the Judgment day,
Under the one the Blue, under the 9th
or the Gray