Memphis, Tenn., March 18th, 1861
Dear Levi
   Yours of the 13th came to hand Saturday also ours from your uncle Henry 
of the same date both containing the sad intelegence of the death of Wesley 
Rice & Robt G. Moore. No doubt but there were considerable gloom thrown over 
Clarksville.  R. G. Moore was an old citizen & none more worthy. Mrs. Moore 
has lost two husbands. It looks strange that I knew her first husband before 
they were married. I must be getting old she has children married & we think 
she has five daughters by Mr. Moore. How time flyes away. I am on the eve of 
selling out but I must not hollow before I get out of the woods. There was a 
gentleman living at Grand Junction to see me last Friday he went away Saturday. 
He promised me to be back on Wednesday next. He has gone to see Mr.Whitmore & 
pay the larger portion in cash. I hope he will do it. If I sell out I must then 
look out another home. I wrote to Wm. Spurior some time ago but have never heard 
an answer. I suppose there is no chance for me there I expect I will be forced 
to go to Ark.  I think now if I can get a house to live in & some land to 
cultivate I will try & raise corn & some cotton. I do not know how I can manage 
to get some farming utensils & provisions for the present year. I will inform you 
immediately if I should make a sale.
   If there is anything that I can do in Clarksville I should like to know it. 
I suppose the railroad folks will not build a house at the Depot. That would be 
a good thing. I am satisfied that the best that I can do is to go to Ark. & get 
me a house. Your GrandMa is willing to go but expects to be buried before long. 
She says she does not want to be buried in Memphis. It will cost me a great deal 
to get away from Memphis. My coming to Memphis was a great mishap but its done & 
now I must try again. Your Ma does not want to go to Ark. , she says she is getting 
still farther form her people. But Levi, what am I to do. The time will not be 
long before I think some of her brothers and sisters will be in Ark. & I would 
rejoice to have them near us. I cincerly believe that it is the best thing any of 
us can do. Land is bound to rise there. It is believed here now that Ark. Will not 
secede & if she does not there will be vast crowds moving from the Gulf States. 
The enormous taxes they have to pay is & will drive the people out. Where are they 
to go but to Ark. It is the very place, good land can be bought now from three to 
five dollars per acre in the wood near the White River. It is certainly the best 
thing that any of us can do. Tell Tom Cage to fix up & let us live neighbors. I 
have nothing more of interest. Millie is able to be up most of the time. She suffers 
a great deal, & let me go where I may. I expect to bury Millie. It is an awful 
thought but it stares me in the face. I ought to hope for better things. Millie 
would be better off if I was in the country where she would have an opportunity 
to st---ing(?) more. Be sure & write soon.

								Your father
								L. Eddings


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Copies of this letter were contributed \by Mary Louise Gossum