I have a similar case. My Isaac Salisbury was in the Civil war. After the Civil War he came home was not MIA, but very shortly thereafter he went to California to look for gold. He wrote one letter home and said he had arrived in California. The wife, Carolina (Tilford) Salisbury did not hear from him again. About a year later she wrote to the goverment asking for his pension. They sent back a letter asking for all the children's names, births, information about Isaac, letter from people in the town where he was known, (This is all in his military records, that they sent to me when I requested his records.) She received $12 a month. 20 years later she was sent a letter from the goverment that her husband Isaac now living in Montana has applied for his pension and that he will be receiving the check instead of her. I do not know if she ever hear from Isaac. Can you imagine the shock she had that he was still alive. War records are wonderful for infomation. I found this whole family and their names and births. Phyllis Murphy Phyllis Murphy Home Interiors & Gifts Accessory Specialist IF IT IS TO BE IT IS UP TO ME.