TRANSLATION NOTE: The army didn’t seize their assets. They just spent all of their money. Also, in the first letter “No” is not German –it might be an abbreviation for “noch” which means “still” but it has just been left out of the translation.
Adam Koch in
Written from me, Jacob Geier and your brother, Peter Sittner. Dear cousin Adam. We have to thank the Lord that we find ourselves still healthy and we wish you equal good health. It is very bad for us here. From the group of people you were friends with here, I alone am in Huck. For that reason, if you still would like to help me, hurry yourself, before it is too late. We cannot write anything new, but we hope that you soon will send a reply.
Second letter:
The 21st of February
Dearest father and family! We thank God that we still are healthy and wish you the same, which is the highest good on earth. It remains very bad for us. Such a situation we never have had before. If we do not receive help, we cannot offer any resistance. Too much sacrifice will be required. We already have spent all of our means in order to save ourselves, but it is for nothing. We have never dreamt that the misery is big that we could not help ourselves. Therefore, we came to the decision to turn to you. Dearest brother-in law and brother, and brother-in-law Peter with his large family, maybe the Lord can through you can help save us from salvation. We can’t escape this big enemy. We already are at a point where we must perish. It doesn’t make it too difficult for yourself, dear brothers, and help as quick as possible because the danger is great. Our family consists of six people, but we don’t have any income. We don’t have cattle or horses anymore. With all real heartfelt greetings from the whole family.
Heinrich Luther