Cliff Notes version ....

Okay, here is a short and sweet capsule of what I found so far:

• After the war Vickers accompanies Judson Kilpatrick to Chile-he claims as Secretary of the Legation, State Department says maybe unofficial secretary for Kilpatrick

• Kilpatrick marries cousin of President of Chile

• Vickers does same (Amelia) and becomes Kilpatrick’s brother in law.

• DV returns to Philly with his wife. They have two boys

• DV likes to party and blows through TWO inheritances!

• DV & Amelia return to Chile as part of a special legation

• DV & Amelia have a baby girl in Chile

• DV leaves for Philly-family stays in Chile, he says he'll send for them or return himself

• DV goes to Cuba are consul--write Amelia not to come due to yellow fever

• DV (40 at the time) returns to Philly, meets a 17 yr old PA Dutch girl (Helen) and within in week "marries" her.

• DV & Helen head west

• DV tells Helen his first wife is dead

• DV returns to service in the Spanish-American War as Inspector General for Idaho and goes @ Chickamauga

• After war returns to Idaho, seriously ill - heart & cirrhosis of the liver. Spends years in debilitating pain and suffering, cannot leave his room.

• Dies in 1908-Amelia had not heard from him in decades but gets a newspaper clipping announcing his death from a friend.

• She applies for widow pension

• Helen applies for widow pension and learns he was still married to Amelia

• Helen's petition is refused, Amelia grants widow's pension.

There is lots more but that is his life after the War of Rebellion in a nutshell.
Questions:

1. How much did his experiences as a POW in the war influence his actions after the war?

2. How much did Judson Kilpatrick influence his actions?

3. How did his expereinces @ Chickamauga

4. What does all this tell us about his mental state?

4. What else do I need to know and look for?

Interesting stuff!