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 have been ordered to cook for the soldiers. I have tied a bandage over one eye and tell them I am not well and will cook only for the sick and wounded. I am tired of cooking for secessionists. Mani cooks for them and out of gratitude four soldiers stole everything they could lay hands on, from her.
The Arkansas Historical Quarterly version (1947)2
Nov. 15, 1862
I awoke at four this morning thinking that our house was on fire. Everything was frighteningly light. I ran to the window and looked out. There I saw many camp fires, watch fires, horses, and soldiers, but I did not know whether they were Northern or Southern. However, they proved to be Southerners under the command of General Hindeman (Hindman). The children were naturally thrilled at the sight of the fires, but my heart was sad and heavy, for where will Fritz and our men be? The soldiers tell me that the Northern troops have retreated a considerable distance, and they will probably take our men with them. It seems that I will have to do lots of cooking now. A young man asked me for bread, but since it was still in the oven unbaked, he asked me to cook up something else for him; said he would call for it in about half an hour. But he warned me that I should give the bread to no one else. I have bandaged one eye as if it were injured, and have told them that because I am not well I can cook for only their sick or wounded men. I am fed up working for secessionists. Nani has cooked and helped them in other ways; in return some of the rascals have stolen from her.
- 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