Memphis, Ten.  April 20th, 1861

Dear Levi
   I found Gus writing to you so I concluded to write a few lines & send with 
hers. I Rec'd yours of the 16thinst. I had written you a letter that you had 
not Rec'd when you wrote yours. In that letter I urged you not to be hasty in
Volintering. Your Ma & sisters urged me to it when we heard of Old Lincoln 
proclamation. You say you have joined the home guards & it may be that you may 
find it neccessary to Volintier to leave home. I have united with the home Gard 
here although I do not expect to have an opportunity to attend the drills. I 
hardly know what to say to you for it seems that young men have not much chance 
to refuse although we could not reasonably expect to ever see you again. It would 
be a dreadful thought to be deprived of the priviledge of ever seeing you again. 
I feel myself Like I would Volintier if my affairs was in a condition that your 
Ma & sisters good have a home & be comfortably situated. But my first duty is to 
them. How serious it is to certain relate these things. Oh what an awful war we 
are to have. A war of extermination. Our people have selected an Isleland five 
miles above Memphis & intend to commence building a Fortress immediately. The 
Governor of Louisiana has sent Thirty Cannnon & about three thousand stand of 
arms. Your Ma has just come in & urges me to say to you that she is distressed 
nearly to death having lost all her boys but you & unless you are obliged to 
Volintier you must hold off. I have one thing to say if you have to go, I wish 
I could be by your side. I mite say many things about the war but you know as 
much as I do you have access to the Public Journals as well as I do. I wrote to Col. 
Smith a short time since & I think I wrote to Henry lately but I have forgotten what 
do all say about the war. I will write your uncle William before long.
   My affairs are in a dreadful fuse. I can't see how I can extracate myself. Nearly 
all the young men are Voluntiering, but few boarders now & but little transient
customers. I am coinciderably in debt. I am not warranted but do not know how soon. 
I think provisions will rise, corn, flour, bacon & infact every thing will run up 
high. Please write soon I can as old man. Duncan is Captain of a Company. What a 
glorious thing it is that Scott has resigned. It is the best thing that has happened. 
My best love to all. 

Your distressed Father	L. Eddings. 


*********************************************************
A copy of this letter was submitted by Mary Louise Gossum