On December 27 (or perhaps 29), Kagi writes to his sister from Springdale, Iowa, in the midst of "a very long & tedious journey." He informs her that his party would leave on the "cars" for Chicago soon, but cautions her "not for your life" to tell anyone where he was or what he was about, and tells her that he will soon be taking an assumed name. [According to historian Stephen Oates, "To Purge This Land With Blood," John Brown returned to Kansas in November, 1857, and enlisted Kagi and a few others in a new company, which set out in early December for Ohio and some additional training in preparation for Brown's planned assault on the "Slave Power in Virginia." On the way, around numerous campfires, Brown apparently encouraged and instructed his young recruits on the just nature of their cause, etc. As it turned out, the company wintered at Springdale while Brown went alone to Ohio.]