Confederates pursued by Northern troops

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. For about an hour we heard artillery fire. It came nearer and nearer; then we saw about two hundred Confederates go by in full gallop. One of them stopped at our barn long enough to look for our best horses. He probably intended to leave his poor, half-starved one and to take our best steed. Our children have been over at John’s. As I looked out of the window I saw them running toward our house. They had to get across the road somehow even if they were in danger. Fritz was with them. Although shooting was going on, I ran to them and we all raced back into the house. My knees had become so weak that I let little Henry³ run by himself. Fritz ordered us all into the cellar. As long as I live I shall not forget the spectacle of the children sitting huddled together, so frightened, in the cellar.

Fritz crept up from the cellar just at the time an Indian was looking for our horse. He came back to tell us that after this all the men would have to go away. But only until morning, he assured me. I prevailed upon him to take warm clothes, since he might have to be away longer. He is more cheerful, more hopeful, than I am. My sister, Eberle, was sighted by an Indian as she stood before a window at her house and was in momentary danger of losing her life. The Indian raised his rifle, aimed at her, but she jumped back out of danger.

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
3. At the time this incident occurred Henry was seven years old, Edward was six, and Louis was three. These three sons of “Fritz” and Lina Hermann were destined to become prominent citizens of St. Louis, Missouri. Henry became a physician, Edward a civil engineer, and Louis the secretary-treasurer of the Hermann & Koenitzer Oak Leather Company.