Current reading edition
English translation
Square brackets mark uncertain words or editorial explanations. Songs are translated for meaning; their speakers are not necessarily the writer.
Download the English text ↓Page 1
Pleasant Hill, Cedar County, Iowa
December 25, 1863
To Mr. Christoph Sawall
Dear friend!
I have long intended to write, but once one gets into putting it off, it goes as the preacher says, [the phrase in his saying is unclear], and nothing comes of it.
Today is Christmas, and you are surely at William Krüger's or John Leidig's, drinking [a quarter-measure of] lager beer. I would gladly be there too.
Here almost everyone is religious, and they pray as though it were a trade; one has to go along with it. If someone here goes hunting on Sunday, or goes into a tavern, then he is already halfway to hell. There are no temperance people here: they all like drinking lager beer, but Sunday is sacred.
My neighbour William Smith has carefully hidden the jug —
Page 2
— in a hollow tree. He must not bring it into the house: the ladies cannot bear the smell! When we are thirsty, we need only watch him and find the jug.
The nearest and best tavern is in Rochester, at German John's, six miles away. But the whole village is "secesh" and Copperheads, and we "Black Republicans" must not venture there without weapons. But we are [very frightened? — this short phrase and whether it is ironic remain uncertain]. The Copperheads cause us much [burden/loss?] and trouble here.
On January 1 I take up my office and shall have difficulties in plenty — but do not lose heart! [The particular office is not named.]
Last summer was very dry and it hardly rained at all, yet the harvest was fairly good. I harvested fully 1,200 bushels of corn. Wheat was not very good; oats were good; potatoes were good. Everything here is dear except wheat. Oats are 60 to 65 cents, potatoes 60 to 80 cents. [The unit attached to these prices is not specified.]
Page 3
I have 38 hogs in my [pen?]. All of them, except four, weigh 300 pounds or more; three of them will reach 400 pounds.
I have two horses: one is Daniel, and the other Jenny, a mare with a foal.
My wife's sister in Ohio has sold out there and will come to us next summer.
I received your money through Mr. Tripp, and thank you very much for it. Tell Wilhelm Krüger that he should pay no more money to Tripp, neither interest nor principal. He has ceased to be my agent and will probably soon leave Sauk City.
I do not need the money at present and do not know what to do with it. It would yield ten percent here, but I would rather have it in Wisconsin. I would have preferred you to keep yours as well.
Now one more request: please write me a long letter very soon, with plenty of news.
Page 4
Where is August [Schweitzberger?]? Is he [dead? — last word uncertain]?
How is [Mrs. Kelly/Relz?; the name and following reference to an Irish person remain uncertain]?
Where does Franz Haas live here in Iowa?
How is [Wettermann?]? C. [Bucke?], Fritz Schulz, William Krüger?
How is Andreas, and [the following description/name is unresolved]? Friedrich and old [Sawall?]?
Many greetings to all our acquaintances, and especially to you, your wife and children. These are the heartfelt wishes of
Your old friend,
J. B. [Lancamp/Laucamp]
Postscript
Excuse my poor writing, for in almost two years I have not written a word of German and have spoken little of it. A Hoffmann lives three miles from here; I shall visit him at New Year. I hope he is like our Hoffmann.
