Translated from German. The original letter is currently held in the Sophienburg Archives (New Braunfels, TX)

Lavaca the 11th March 1863

Dear Brother:

I have received both of your letters, also 20fl and with great joy read that all of you are well and look with the best hopes for apparent good prospects for the year. I would already have left here this morning with Ch. Mergele's wagon to go home but circumstances did not permit it.

Yesterday I went to Col. Woods to see about the promised furlough. He said that he could at the most give me but 14-15 days furlough because we had orders to march to South Braun on the Rio Grande 300 miles from here. This furlough would have been too short for me. I would need at the least a month's furlough to gain any use out of a furlough. I would like to be at home with all of you at least for a few days which would have been impossible and would have to make the 300 mile journey all by myself, and take the horse and riding equipment besides the costs pertaining thereto. We will apparently have to go the entire distance on foot. It could be the case that we get orders to go horseback in which case we would have the opportunity to go home. You have this year too much work at home to accomplish so if you can secure help then do not try to spare costs.

In particular see to it that you find a responsible person to tend to the horses. It is very fortunate that there is good water this year and all horses could be brought together and watched and kept together so that they get used to each other. Try to get the young stallion from Kathy to stay with the group, for the young two-year-olds, unless he is not fit. Also those from Santy have them protected in the pen if it does not work that they run with the group. Let the stallion foal from Bessie run with the group this one more year. The greyish stallion foal from Corpus stock, have him castrated so that he won't run away. Maybe you could get a Mexican because it is only 3-4 months where there is work to do with the horses. Perhaps George could send you an able man from Corpus Christi. One more time let me say do not spare costs for paper money is not so dear.

I must close since it is quite cold if only it would not freeze again. Presently I am not feeling too well.

With the wish that these few lines will reach all of you healthy and contented I remain your loving brother.

Ch. Pfeuffer

N.B. Many greetings to your family and father, and brothers, and sisters. I wrote to you and the sisters a letter on the 3rd of this month. I have as yet not received greetings from your wife and children. I wanted to write a letter to Hermann, however could not find the favorable moment.

The above Ch. Pfeuffer

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