Washington County Historical Society version (1965)1 Dec. 15—Every day they come, sometimes to Nani and sometimes to my house. I have baked bread for three days and before I can give it to the children, it is taken away from me. The children are crying. Our desperation is great. The Arkansas Historical Quarterly version (1947)2 [...]

Washington County Historical Society version (1965)1 Dec. 14—It is said the Southern troops were victorious. I don’t believe it. Last night three soldiers dressed in blue demanded admittance. I had the dog beside me, so let them in. They demanded money and when I told them there was none, they searched the entire house and [...]

Washington County Historical Society version (1965)1 Dec. 9—Nani is with me. All day long we heard cannonading. Who will be victorious? This constant thundering of the cannon! If the Southern troops should win, it would go hard with us. The Arkansas Historical Quarterly version (1947)2 Dec. 9 Nani is with me. All day long we [...]

Washington County Historical Society version (1965)1 Dec. 8—My man has returned with 28 Northerners. Maria is helping me prepare food for them. Fritz is packing up goods to take to the Northern camp to sell. At night they all left. I feared Fritz would enter the Northern army as a soldier but he promised to [...]

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 [...]

Washington County Historical Society version (1965)1 Nov. 23—Last night I took the children over to Nani’s and stayed with her. Tonight she is with me. A group of Northern soldiers stopped and I gave them a letter to my husband. Three hours later General Marmaduke came with several thousand men. I let the rebels look [...]

Washington County Historical Society version (1965)1 Nov. 20—As I stood at the window two men rode up. One was Fritz, and oh, what joy! All the women of the neighborhood came over. At midnight Julius came and said they would have to leave immediately. Fritz didn’t want to leave us alone again, but I knew [...]

Washington County Historical Society version (1965)1 Nov. 18—Several men broke into our store and stole much. I ran through the rain to Schmitt who came over and nailed up the house. The Arkansas Historical Quarterly version (1947)2 Nov. 18 Today several fellows broke into the side door of the store and carried away much. Through [...]

Washington County Historical Society version (1965)1 Nov. 17 – This uncertainty is terrible. The women are despairing. The Arkansas Historical Quarterly version (1947)2 Nov. 17 This uncertainty is unbearable. We women are in despair. Lemke, W. J. The Hermanns of Old Hermannsburg: Washington County, Arkansas. Fayetteville, AR: Washington County Historical Society, 1965. Memoirs, Letters, and [...]

Washington County Historical Society version (1965)1 Nov. 16—The troops have gone north and we fear for the safety of our men folks. We dare not undress to sleep and even the children sleep with their clothes on. The Arkansas Historical Quarterly version (1947)2 Nov. 16 Now that everyone has gone away, this time northward, we [...]

Washington County Historical Society version (1965)1 Nov. 15—When I awoke at 4 o’clock this morning, I thought everything was on fire. I ran to the window and saw everywhere camp fires, soldiers and horses, but did not know if they were Southerners or Northerners. It turned out they were part of Hindman’s Confederate army. I [...]

Washington County Historical Society version (1965)1 Nov. 14—Today we saw Southern troops for the first time. We heard shooting and about 200 Confederates came galloping through the village pursued by Northern troops. I hid the children in the cellar. The Arkansas Historical Quarterly version (1947)2 Nov. 14 Finally and at last the longed-for Northern troops. [...]

Washington County Historical Society version (1965)1 Nov. 13—The Pin Indians2 are stealing everywhere. The Arkansas Historical Quarterly version (1947)3 Nov. 13, 1862 To-day I am at Nani’s. Fred (Karl) and Dannenberg were here part of the day. Dannenberg told us much about how Indians have robbed and stolen. Julius and John, everybody in fact, seem [...]

Washington County Historical Society version (1965)1 Nov. 12, 1862—We live in constant fear and danger. It is said that all men must join the Southern army. A negro stole horses, saddles and took my Melinda with him. We have been considered Sympathizers for the South so far but if the Northern troops come we will [...]