I found Thomas living in Detroit at the opening of the Civil War and employed as a U.S. Mail Agent on the Detroit and Milwaukee Railroad. Apparently that line connected with a ferry that took passengers over Lake Michigan. He was also involved with the publication of two Detroit area Catholic Newspapers. During the war he also acted as an editor of his regimental newspaper, The Sentinel. He was severely wounded under unusual circumstances late in the war and eventually returned to Detroit in 1865. I find no record of him there after 1866. I also sent a note to your email address of record