In March and April of 1855, more than 300 immigrants from the Grand Duchy of Baden arrived at the port of New Orleans. Unlike many who came to our shores with eagerness and excitement, many of these German immigrants harbored feelings of bitterness, hatred and resentment toward the circumstances and the people responsible for their situation. Among these travelers were my great-great-grandparents: Adam Reinschmidt, his wife, Theresa Schmidt Reinschmidt, and their seven children, and Xaver Schmieder, his wife Maximilliane Streule Schmieder, and their six children.

About eight years before their departure, the town of Bühlertal, like many in the Black Forest area near Baden-Baden, was experiencing economic hardship due to crop failures caused by unfavorable weather. Many farmers lost their farms and possessions and it fell upon the church and the government to help provide for those in need. Soup kitchens were opened and the bare necessities were provided.

By 1851 the situation had not improved, and in fact had worsened. From town to town, families were begging for food and work. Those caught begging were punished by imprisonment and deportation to their home valleys.

Between 1852 and 1854 excessive amounts of rainfall further compounded the situation. The meager crops rotted in the fields and even those, who had thus far, not been as severely affected, started to feel the economic strain. The Bühlertal community was supporting the poor, by taking care of the sick, giving weekly or monthly cash support, supplying the needy with clothing, and supporting 30 illegitimate children. "Marriage in that time was difficult, then each applicant had to produce 150 Gulden. Reason: whoever could not support a family, should not create or establish one. The results were so many illegitimate children."

By 1854, many Baden communities began preparation for a powerful cure, forced emigration of the parish poor to the United States. By decree of the grand duchy government, permission was given and some moneys provided to communities who chose this option. To this initial government allocation, were added loans from still well-to-do Bühlertal citizens.

Fifty-seven families were chosen and in January of 1855 they were given new clothing and provided with old coffee sacks for their suitcases. The night before their departure, they were given a final meal, hosted by the citizens of the lower valley of Bühlertal.

The pain felt and tears shed on the morning of January 11, 1855 must have been overwhelming. Families were assembled in front of the parish hall saying their last farewell to relatives and friends, knowing they would never see their beloved valley again. The group of more than 300 souls were escorted on foot by five gendarmes to the town of Bühl. From there they traveled to Strasbourg accompanied by some town council members, and directed by a traveling agency hired for the purpose, on to Le Havre.

In Le Havre, my ancestors boarded the "Desdemona" along with more than ninety other emigrants. The "Desdemona" set sail on January 15, 1855 and arrived at the port of New Orleans in April, after 76 days at sea. The remaining Bühlertal emigrants boarded the "Cotton Planter" which left the port of Le Havre on January 18, and despite departing later than her sister ship, arrived more than ten days earlier at their destination, in March 1855.

Once the immigrants reached New Orleans they were met by a representative of the Baden government. There, each family member received a designated amount of money and they were left to find their own way. Many immigrants, like my ancestors, took a steam boat up the Mississippi River and settled in the St. Louis, Missouri area.

A few of the chosen who had resisted the initial forced emigration were sent on January 27, 1855. Those left in the Bühlertal Valley did not find that the misery and hunger had ended. It was not until 1858 when crops where finally bountiful and the community budget again balanced that the "Hunger Years" came to a close.