Letter from L. M. Henderson to L. S. Joynes, 1864 July

              Mt. Pleasant South Carolina

July th 1864


Dr. L[evin] S[mith] Joines[Joynes]:


Dear Sir: 

Having began the Study of 

Medicine prior to the commencement of this unholy conflict, and having attended one course of Med[ical]. Lectures (terminating in 1861) at Augusta Ga. I desire to attended another at Richmond the ensuing winter.  Being incited more by motives of patriotism 

than a desire to prosecute a Study of mere individual interest, 

I relinquished all private avocations, and joined my comrades in arms in the Summer of 1861 to assist in repelling the 

insolent foe from the soil of our infant confederacy.


I escaped all harm from the destructive missiles of the Enemy, until the 3rd May 1863, at which time I received a severe wound in the hand and wrist causing achylosis of the parts injured.  In consequence of which I have 

been detailed in Conscript Department, up to the present 

time, and doubtless, my duty will be longer continued. In all probability, I could serve my country in a better capacity. I would respectfully ask you to effect a detail for me for the purpose {of} attending a second
 
course at Richmond Va [crossout illegible]{during} the coming winter.


Very RespectfullyL[udy]M Henderson 
P.S. If such a thing is effective, please inform me
when your Lectures will commence, by addres{ing} me at
Mt. Pleasant Lauren's Dist[rict] S.C.         L.M.H.