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Head Quarters District of Cairo,
Cairo, Ill. July 10th 1862.
Dear Governor
I am glad to learn that you are safely back to your post. I should be very glad of an opportunity of an hours talk with you & learn from your own lips how our friends feel at Washington in view of recent events. some thing seems to me is wrong in the management of affairs over the [mountains?] and about the Potomac. I hope all will come out right yet. I have had a miraculous escape from instant death by the accidental discharge of a pistol in my office since you went east. (about three weeks ago) the pistol was supposed to be unloaded but unfortunately the fact proved otherwise as the ball passed entirely through my arm hitting my body over the large bowel tearing and lacerating the skin & [coatings?] very badly, but did not enter the body: the wounds are all doing well and healing without much pain or suffering.
In order to recover from this accident & to have opportunity to recuperate a little from the wear and tear of body & brain under the severe labors of this Post the last four months I have asked the secratary of War for a sixty day leave of absence & my intention is to avail of the period to proceed to Europe and bring my family back to America. You are aware that upon the breaking out of the rebellion I left them abroad and proceeded myself instantly home to stand shoulder to shoulder with all loyal men in the work of preserving our national life - I propose to stand unfalteringly there until the last rebel clutch is unloosed from the nations throat. If it would give you any pleasure to bear your testimony to my efforts in the allotted sphere of my labors in the west, I should be glad to have you address me at this place such a note as your heart & judgement may sanction, that I may shew it to the President when I get to Washington that he may see that I have tried
to prove myself worthy of his confidence and respect in the bestowal of the commission he was pleased to make of Brig Gen. upon me -- hoping this will find you well I remain very truly
& faithfully your friend
Wm K Strong
Brig Gen
Comdg
The Governors of Iowa & Wisconsin have sent me kind testimonials
to His Excy Gov Yates
Springfield
Ill
Brig Gen Strong
Cairo July 62
statement of his wound -- conduct of the war -- leave of absence -- asking letter of Govr.
Answered