King and Henry D. Barrows, served on a committee to raise funds to build the first Protestant church in Los Angeles.
[4] In early 1861, during the beginning of the American Civil War, Sims, although a Southerner by birth, was President of the Los Angeles Union Club.
He was arrested and held to await the action of the Grand Jury; however, no serious consequences ensued for the belligerent Sims, who retained his command.
[8] In August 1862, he marched his command to join Colonel Patrick Edward Connor at Fort Ruby, Nevada.
Sims was relieved of his command by the Department of the Pacific on August 19, 1862, to await further orders; he was replaced by Major Edward McGarry.