Letter from H. L. Ray to L. S. Joynes, 1864 September 23

              H[ead] Q[uarters] Parole Comp, Columbus Ga. 

Sept[ember] 25 1864

Professor L. S. Joines, [Joynes] Richmond Va. 

Sir, I read Medicine
in 1857-8, attended a course of Lectures at Nashville in 1859,
obtained licence to practice physic from the medical
examine board of North Alabama in the spring of 1860,-continued
to practice medicine at Rodgersville Alabama until January
1862 when I was elected Captain of a company composed of 
gallant and noble young men. In compliance with the 
wishes and the attachments that I had form{ed} for those men,
I remained with them in the midst of privations, and the 
many casulaties of war, until my company is almost extinct.
So much so indeed that I have been ordered from the line
to command the Parole Camp at this place, which is a very
desirable position for an officer who wishes to occupy the 
position, but not for myself. I prefered a position as a medical
officer at the beginning to that of a line office, it remains my 
preference, or rahter to finish my medical education, for I 
expect to resume the practice of medecine if, I should be so 
fortunate to Survive this war, consequently I feel more interest 
in the medical department, and that I am naturaly better 
fitted for it and that it is my proper Sphere in life. - I 
now wish to attend a course of Lectures and graduate.