DUANE
Duane's take
The marker's got the story, and I've got the marker — so let me tell you this one careful, because it deserves it. Edward Lea was born in Maryland in 1837. He graduated from the U.S.
Naval Academy in 1855, and when the Civil War came on, his father Albert tried to pull him toward the Confederate side. Tried, and failed. Edward made his own choice, and that choice put him aboard the U.S.S.
Harriet Lane as First Officer. Now, January the first, 1863 — New Year's Day — the Harriet Lane was drawn into the Battle of Galveston. The Confederates pressing that fight were under General John B.
Magruder. And on Magruder's staff, quiet as a held breath, was Albert Lea. Father and son, on opposite sides of the same battle, on the same patch of Texas water.
After the guns went quiet, Albert found his son. Edward was mortally wounded. There was nothing Albert could do.
And the last words Edward Lea was reported to speak — the last thing he said in this world — were these: "My father is here." I've told a lot of stories on these roads. I don't always slow down. But that one — I slow down for that one.
What the marker says
(1837-1863) Maryland-born Edward Lea graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1855. At the onset of the Civil War, his father, Albert, unsuccessfully tried to persuade him to join the Confederacy. Edward became First Officer on the U.S.S. Harriet Lane. On Jan. 1, 1863, it was involved in the Battle of Galveston against Confederates under Gen. John B. Magruder, whose staff included Albert Lea. After the battle, Albert found, but could not help, his mortally wounded son, whose final words were reportedly, "My father is here." Recorded - 2005