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 openly declare ourselves. Today starving secessionists were in our mill and acted as if it were their property.
The Arkansas Historical Quarterly version (1947)2
Nov. 12, 1862
. . . The last two years have been trying ones for us; somehow things seem to grow worse instead of better. We have lived in fear and in hope, but unfortunately more of our fears have been realized than hopes. We have lived in unrelieved anxiety. Some men have been forced into the Southern army. Yes, things have come to that. Julius3 was certain that he would have to go. In fact, he got ready to go.
Three months ago my domestic slave—a woman—was taken away from me by a Negro man who had escaped from his master after having stolen horse, saddle, and saddle blanket. Now I have all my work to do. To relieve me as much as possible Julius has gone over to Nani’s.4 She still has help at the house. He and his children had stayed with us almost exactly one year.
The report is spreading that the Pin Indians,5 who are for the North, are in the neighborhood. Also, news has come to us that Northern troops are now much nearer us. I can therefore hope to God with some confidence that these times of trouble and anxiety will pass away. Although we have been under some suspicion, we have generally been thought of as good Southerners. If Northern troops come in, we will have to reveal our true feelings, and after that is done we cannot, of course, continue to stay around here. Today several Secessionists came to the mill, and judging by the way they acted one would think they owned it.
- 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
- Julius Wilhelmi, Lina’s brother
- Lina’s sister
- The Pin Indians were given their name because of their custom of wearing a pin as a symbol of their membership in a political group. They did not make up a separate tribe as such.