Friedrichsburg
Friedrichsburg
A Novel
Summerfield G. Roberts Award for a Work of Creative Writing, Sons of the Texas Republic, 2013
First published in Germany in 1867, this fascinating autobiographical novel of German immigrants on the antebellum Texas frontier provides a trove of revelations about the myriad communities that once called the Hill Country home.
Founded in 1846, Fredericksburg, Texas, was established by German noblemen who enticed thousands of their compatriots to flee their overcrowded homeland with the prospect of free land in a place that was portrayed as a new Garden of Eden. Few of the settlers, however, were prepared for the harsh realities of the Texas frontier or for confrontation with the Comanche. In his 1867 novel Friedrichsburg, Friedrich Armand Strubberg, a.k.a. Dr. Schubbert, interwove his personal story with a fictional romance to capture the flavor of Fredericksburg, Texas, during its founding years when he served as the first colonial director.
Now available in a contemporary translation, Friedrichsburg brings to life the little-known aspects of life among these determined but often ill-equipped settlers who sought to make the transition to a new home and community on the Texas frontier. Opening just as a peace treaty is being negotiated between the German newcomers and the Comanches, the novel describes the unlikely survival of these fledgling homesteads and provides evidence that support from the Delaware Indians, as well as the nearby Mormon community of Zodiac, was key to the Germans’ success. Along the way, Strubberg also depicts the laying of the cornerstone to the Vereinskirche, the blazing of an important new road to Austin, exciting hunting scenes, and an admirable spirit of cultural cohesion and determined resilience. In so doing, he resurrects a fascinating lost world.
But it is Kearney’s introduction to Friedrichsburg that makes this volume a must-read for historians as well as descendants of these German immigrants…for descendants of German immigrants who wish to experience the kind of popular literature that entertained their ancestors, even the melodramatic episodes of this novel will be informative and entertaining.
Friedrich Armand Strubberg, aka Dr. Schubbert (1805–1887), was the colonial director of Fredericksburg during the town’s founding years. He later returned to Germany and had a successful career as an author of adventure novels.
James C. Kearney taught high school German for many years before becoming an assistant professor of instruction in the Department of Germanic Studies at the University of Texas at Austin. He is also a member of the Texas Institute of Letters.
- Translator's Note
- Acknowledgments
- Introduction
- Friedrichsburg: Colony of the German Fürstenverein
- Preface
- Chapter 1
The Solitary Rider. The Wild Ones. Friedrichsburg. Early Morning Hour. The Lovers. The Major. The Two War Comrades. - Chapter 2
The Fürstenverein. Prince Carl Solms. The New Braunfels Colony. The Colonial Director Dr. Schubbert. The Cornfield. The Town. The Man from Frankfurt. The Quartermaster. The Cannons of the Verein. The Shawnee Indians. Supper. - Chapter 3
Kateumsi (the Archer). Call for Peace. The Path through the Wilderness. The Beautiful Valley. Laying out the Road. Ambush by the Comanches. The Saving Shot. The Night Camp. The Buffalo. - Chapter 4
The City of Austin. The Delegates. The Wild Horsemen. Scurvy. The Gathering of Herbs. The Rattlesnake. The Sick One. The Convalescence. The Nanny. - Chapter 5
The Slacker. The Stranger. The Mormons. The Three Happy Ones. The Miser. The Rats. The Invalid. Imagination. Death. The Gruesome Apparition. Ready Money. No Peace in the Grave. The Rat King. - Chapter 6
The Delaware Indians. The Chief. Believed to Be Dead. The Request. The Hunting Horse. The Trial Shot. The Irreconcilable Enemy. The Ride through the Forest. Welcome. The Presents. The Wild Friend. - Chapter 7
The Settlement of the Mormons. The Bloodhound. The Bear. The Jaguar. The Fandango House. The Arrow Shots. The Hunt. - Chapter 8
Great Concern. The Old Peace Chief. The Wax Lanterns. Sudden Flight. The Mill. Springtime. The Flourishing City. The Grab. Munitions. The Cannons. The Night Music. The Old Friend. Coffee. - Chapter 9
The New City. Government Officials. Big Preparations. Day of Festivities. Grand Entrance of the Guests. The Proud Savage. The Parade. The Conclusion of Peace. The Feast. The Departure. - Chapter 10
The Vicious Foe. The Challenge. Defiance. Hostile Appearance. Warning Shot. Caution. Fall Day. Lottery. Pleasure Ride. - Chapter 11
The War Party. The Flight. The Storm. The Heroine. The Prisoner. The Honored One. The Triumphal Procession. The Grateful Indian. Undisturbed Tranquility. The Pleasure Trip. Good Advice. Freedom from Care. Charming Night Camp. - Chapter 12
Careless. Cry of Terror. Scalping. The Flight. Ruse. The Return. The Death Notice. Sympathy. Funeral Procession. Heavy Gait. Notification. Ill Foreboding. The Hearse. Composure. - Chapter 13
The Return Trip. Bad News. The Horror. Night of Love. Melancholy. Desire for Revenge. The Friendly Room. The Journey. The Delaware Chieftain. - Chapter 14
The Bear Hunt. Indian Sign. Concern. On the Look-out. The Lovely Young Lady. The Deadly Enemy. Blood. Dismay. Chase. - Chapter 15
Much Excitement. Foundation Day. Hurried Preparations for the Festival. Morning of the Festival. Laying of the Cornerstone. Celebratory Feast. The Dance. The Promenade. Sitting at the Fireplace. Alone. The Frightful Face. The Abduction. Anxiety. Despair. The Wild Friend. - Chapter 16
The Warriors. On the Trail. The Bandits. Deception. The Valley. The Cave. The Prisoner. The Posse of Revenge. The Wounded. The Departure. - Chapter 17
The Enamored Savage. The Grey Bear. The Victor. The Friends. The Bound and Tied Captive. Passion. Horror. The Shot. Rescued. The News. The Return Trip. - Chapter 18
Dismay. The Messenger of Glad Tidings. Jubilation. Yearning. Reunion. The Welcome. The Abandoned Town. The Wedding Day. Presentation of Gifts. The Polonaise. The Honored Guest. Merriment. - Notes
- Appendix: Chronological Bibliography of First Editions by Friedrich Armand Strubberg
- Glossary
- Works Cited
- Index
Journey to Texas, 1833
By Detlef Dunt; Translated by Anders Saustrup; Edited by James C. Kearney and Geir Bentzen
