 Funston moved to Alexandria, Virginia, in 1852 where his law practice could expand.In 1858 he took an extended trip to Europe, traveling across the Atlantic Ocean on a Cunard steamship, and did not return for the 1860 census other than it s property schedules.As a prominent citizen favoring secession, Governor John Letcher entrusted Funsten with conveying to then U.S. Army officer Robert E. Lee his invitation to become a general in the Confederate States Army.