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Marion Miss
April 19^th 1861

To his Excellency
J. J. Pettus

Dear Sir

We a portion of the citizens of Lauderdale County, in the vicinity of Marion; have organized ourselves in a company, known as the Home Guards, N^o 1. and have made arra-ngements to meet on next Saturday 28^th Inst and be regular mustered into Service.

We would ask of your Excellency, that we be permitted to use the Mississippi Rifles now in possession of the Pettus Guards. We understand muskets are now on the way, and are expected daily for their use. We will give the necessary [?] for the Rifles & fixtures if you will permit us to take them in possession for now

Respectfully

W^m S. Patton