Though they fought against each other during the Battle of Gettysburg, Winfield Scott Hancock and Lewis Armistead were good friends when they served as quartermasters in Southern California.

Winfield Scott Hancock served as Albert Johnston's assistant in the years before the Civil War. Lewis Armistead, a future Confederate general, and Hancock became close friends while they both lived in California. During their time in California, their relationship grew stronger. When Armistead decided to leave the US Army and join the Confederacy, he gave Hancock's wife his prayer books with the words "Believe in God and fear nothing", as well as a Brand new major uniform.

The next time the two meet will be at the Battle of Gettysburg. Armistead was mortally wounded on July 3, 1863, on the third and final day of the Battle of Gettysburg. Armistead inquires about Hancock as he lies injured, and upon discovering that Hancock is also injured, Armistead shouts, "Not both of us on the same day!" "Tell General Hancock, from me, that I have done him and all of you a great injustice," he then ordered Confederate Captain Henry Bingham to do.