7 PM, Oct. 2nd, 1913

My Dear Kids,

Received a letter Tuesday, and one again tonight.

General McDowell was in command of our brigade at Bull Run.

General Edward Bragg of Fond-du-Lac was Commander of the Iron Brigade in 1864.

(At First Bull Run) I carried Comrade Ruben Ash, an old friend that enlisted in Co. E with me in April 1861, was shot beside me on the retreat, and I dragged him 70 rods (Note: A rod is about 5.5 meters) to a cut in the side hill of the main road in a shower of bullets and never got a scratch until I laid him in a place of safety, when a shell exploded up the wall 2 rods and I got two small woulds in my shins - not serious.

Rube got away to our lines in an ambulance, and was City Treasurer here when I came back from Minn. in 1875. Died about 30 years ago (e.g., about 1883).

(Note: Stroud, however, was captured that day and taken to Richmond. Also, according to his granddaughters, his wounds turned out to be serious enough that he walked with a limp thereafter.)

Horace Stroud