Washington County Historical Society version (1965)1
Nov. 25—Today I heard that Southern troops were at Mina’s house so I went over and found the house full of soldiers. They wanted all the food she had, but she told then that all pigs, hay and corn had al’ready been taken. Marmaduke promised to pay her, but all she got from his secretary was $10 in Confederate money. It is now generally known that our men folks are in the Northern camp and we may as well be prepared to have all our possessions taken by the Southern troops. Mina and I agreed to stay 14 days longer and then to flee with what little food we have left. Nani is opposed to the idea because it is too cold for the children. And Fritz might return.
The Arkansas Historical Quarterly version (1947)2
Nov. 25
I heard that some supposed Southern soldiers were at Mina’s, and I went to her. The house was full and everybody was calling for something. Already they had taken all the hogs, hay, and corn. Marmaduke promised to pay for everything taken, but his paymaster offered us only ten dollars in Confederate money, which is really worth very little. Now it is generally known that our men are in a Northern camp, and for that reason we know we must expect to be plundered. In the evening robbers came to my house and took all the meat, bread, and apples. Mina and I have managed to hold out fourteen days. With our provisions gone, we must flee from here. Nani does not want to leave. She thinks the weather is too cold. But we have now lost our property; and I fear that Fritz might come back. An even worse fate might overtake us here.
- Lemke, W. J. The Hermanns of Old Hermannsburg: Washington County, Arkansas. Fayetteville, AR: Washington County Historical Society, 1965.
- Memoirs, Letters, and Diary Entries of German Settlers in Northwest Arkansas, 1853-1863. Selected and Translated By Clarence Evans, Tahlequah, Oklahoma. The Arkansas Historical Quarterly. Vol. VI Fall, 1947 No. 3