Cincinnati, June 10, 1847



Dear father and brothers, I cannot prevent myself from giving you my news. I am always in shape and in good health for as long a time as God will want. I think that my letter will also find you in good health. Dear father and brothers, I also want to let you know how long I spent at sea. February 20 we left Le Havre and on April 8 we arrived in New York.

Dear father and brothers, we underwent a very painful crossing. Three days in a row I had to vomit until I was spitting up bile. After that I was not sick any more. Dear father and brothers, I likewise want to describe to you our voyage at sea; March 7 we faced a storm which tore several of our sails; the wind broke our mainmast and the storm lasted until March 17. Calms returned and thus we arrived in New York.

We stopped four days to visit the city. George SIEGEL remained in New York at his cousin's place. Joseph STAUB went to Philadelphia. His cousin and I continued our our journey all the way to Buffalo. There I next met Joseph RAUCH and I remained in town for two days. When my cousin Joseph STULB learned of my presence, he came to seek me accompanied by Joseph PFOHL. We left the city to return to their properties. Cousin PFOHL has a beautiful house, a beautiful barn, two beautiful horses and has 60 acres of land. Cousin STULB has 12 acres and is not married, he lives at his brother-in-law's place. I remained at their place for six days; I visited all the Surbourgeois and they are all well. I also went to the DEIGLERS who also have beautiful property; they say hello to you.

Dear father, then I continued my voyage to Cincinnati by crossing the lake. There, I next went to see Francoise GROS who owns a boarding house, and it is nice. Andre GROS is hardly interested in his countrymen; and he makes as much of his friends. George WURTZ works in the GROS sawmill, he earns 18 dollars per month and must pay 8 dollars per month for lodging.

Dear father and brother you likewise want to know what I do. I work in a brewery, at the stables for the deliveries. There are also two blacks and we look after the horses. My wages are 10 dollars net per month. We are free in the afternoon, we promenade in town on horseback and afterwards we remake the litters of the horses. Everyday we eat so well that it resembles a wedding banquet. George SCHAEFFNER is employed at SAUER'S and earns 8 dollars per month and also eats very well. We meet every Sunday.

Dear father and brothers, I want to also let you know that Joseph SUCHER and Joseph WURTZ brought the news to me that my brother and my cousin Gaspard lost the draw in the conscription.That caused me much sorrow, but I nevertheless had to laugh when WURTZ told me: one drew number 11 and the other 18. They will both make wonderful soldiers.

Dear father and brothers, I let you know that in the autumn I will go to New Orleans. I also learned, dear father, that after my departure you have cursed me. Consider what is the cause of my departure to America and that I am doing well today! Dear father, answer me with a good word. But if you want to continue to prefer the miserable life, I will not return any more and my brothers will come to join me. But I think nevertheless, dear father, that you will send a beautiful letter to me; then I will be back in one year.

I finish my letter by expecting a prompt answer. I greet you a thousand times. Transmit my greetings to my cousin Joseph SCHARRENBERGER, to George SCHARRENBERGER as well as to his wife. Also give my hello to my cousin Maria STULB, to Philippe ROHMER, to mother GRUNER and to Ignace STAUB as well as to his wife.

Antoine Stulb

PS And another hello to Antoine BARASINO and Joseph PFOHL. Address your mail to GROS.