[7][8] He departed from New York City on a ship that sailed to Nicaragua, where he crossed over land to the Pacific shore.

[8] We know he practiced his trade there, presumably relieving miners and prospectors of gold, in exchange for watches and jewelry.

[8] He is believed to have made at least two more return trips to New York before finally bringing his wife Rebecca and now, three children, to California in late 1857 or early 1858, again by ship/land/ship crossing.

He was serving as the Adjutant to the Colonel in charge of the Marysville Rifles, a unit of the California Militia.

The letter states the Militia's allegiance to the Union following the assassination, that they were wearing black armbands in mourning and would control and suppress any rabblerousing perpetrated by Confederate sympathizers.