The Custer Connection

The Civil War often produced some surprising connections between major figures on the two sides of the conflict. One little-known incident involved John W. Lea from the 5th Carolina, which would later become part of Iverson's Brigade. Lea was born on Sept. 16, 1838 and spent his early years in Caswell County, North Carolina. Following the death of his father in 1855, financial problems forced his family to move in with his uncle at Holly Springs, Mississippi. Lea received an appointment to West Point from that state two years later. During his time at the academy, he became best friends with his fellow cadet, George Armstrong Custer, who gave him the nickname "gimlet." Lea resigned from West Point in December of 1860 and helped raise a volunteer company in his home state. 

 He entered the war as captain of that company, which soon became part of the 5th North Carolina. In early May of 1862, Lea was cited for bravery during the fighting at Williamsburg, where he was wounded and captured. While being held  under house arrest in Williamsburg, Lea married Margaret Durfey, who was one of the local women who attended his wounds. The guests at his wedding included his old friend Custer, who served as the best man. Custer noted in a letter to his sister that they "were both struck by the strange fortune which had thrown us together again under such remarkable circumstances."  

Lea remained a prisoner until early in November, when he finally rejoined the regiment. He later received promotion to the rank of lieutenant Colonel and served with his regiment in Iverson's Brigade.  Following the war, Lea became a minister in West Virginia and died there in 1884.