Sept. the 22. 1863.
Dear Gov,,
Sir

Permit me by way of an Introduction to you, For me to Say I am a Union Man Unconditionally,, and Your warmest Friend and Formerly a Citizen of Shelby County Ky, But Now a Citizen of Smithland and have been 13 Months ^there.^ a Physician, a Graduate of Transylvania University of Lexington Ky in the year 1844- and Having Practised The Greater Pourtion of My Time in The Green River Country in Edmondson & Butler & Ohio Countyes in that Section Of Country, and am now asking at your hands a Position as Surgeon in the 48 Mounted Intfantry of Col Burge,s Regiment now Orginizing at Princeton Ky, Capt Belt The Commander at Post at Smithland Ky, is an aspirant For Major, in That Regiment, a worthy Officer, and an Enerjetic Man, as any Officer Belonging to 19 Ky Cavlery under, Col Henry, His time having Expired In that Relation of the 1 Congressional Destrict,, I Reccommend him to you, as one well Deserves the Place as Major, of Col Burges Regiment, styled the 48, now Organising at Priceton Ky, now formed; Permit me to say to your Most Noble excellency, Dear Govnor,, Iff it meats with your Approbation To Give us Both and

appointments Mr^s Belt as Major of The 48 Mounted Intfantry Of Col Burge,s Regment now formed at Princeton and my Selfe D^r James B Gaines of Shelby County Ky. But now a Citizen of Smithland Ky, a Position in that Regiment as Surgeon,, it will Be thankfully Reseaved worthy Bestowed, We Refer you To Our Old Collegue Maj. Gen, Boyle of Louisville, and The Medicle Bourd By Whom I was Examined and Obtained a Sertificate as to My Qualifications as to my competency to fulfill that High Position to which I aspire, I have Practised 18 years Have Refferenes From D^r B. W. Dudley The Old Surgeon of Transylvania University of Lexington Ky. and D^rs N. R. Smith of Baltimore of The Same University, and all The Professors of That Institution.

I Reccomend M^r Capt Belt for Magor,, Because he has done more and his Company in taking Garillers and hard Lines these,s 12 month than any Col or Officer in this whole Congressional Destrict, and well Deserves the Position. Pardon my lenghened remarks and give us an uptmost Seat, in your remembrace and reccollection, when the time arrives To confer the appointments, in the above Mentioned Rejiment of Col Burges 48 Mounted Intfantry of Coldwell & Lionand Livingston Countys now at

at Princeton, Ky, Capt Belt has maid up 7 Companys For Col, Burges, Regiment, and wants Majors Place in It and me, as hed surgeon, and all The seven Companys. It is with you, To Give me a Position theAs hed Surgeon, or assistant Surgeon one or The Two, The First I would Prefur,, But Iff not, The First, The Second. as It may Seem good in your sight,, The Capt wants us To Get our Appointments in this end of The Destrict, at Smithland as he has maid up All The Regiment through his Energy and Perservance, and thinks we ought to Be intitled to the two appointments,

Your Obedient
Servent and Friend
D^r James. B. Gaines
Smithland Ky.

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