Since the government force was completely defeated by Choshu clan led by Masujiro OMURA in the Choshu Conquest, Iwami Province in 1866 and the territory of Hamada Domain was captured, Kawata left the clan with comrades and escaped to Choshu Domain.
慶応2年（1866年）長州征討の石見国口において大村益次郎率いる長州軍に幕府側が大敗し、浜田藩領が攻略されると、河田は同志と共に脱藩して長州藩へ逃れた。