The children whimper and cry; our distress is great.

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

Dec. 15

Every day Confederates come to us; some to Nani, some to me. For three days I have baked bread to have it carried away. The children whimper and cry; our distress is great.

1. Lemke, W. J. The Hermanns of Old Hermannsburg: Washington County, Arkansas. Fayetteville, AR: Washington County Historical Society, 1965.
2. 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