Joseph was 20 years old at enlistment as Private with the 8th Regiment Georgia Volunteer Infantry "Green Light Guards" on March 1, 1862, in Greensboro, Greene County, Georgia, by Captain G. O. Dawson.

His name appears on a Register of Confederate States of America (CSA) General Hospital, Danville, Virginia, on August 23, 1862. Complaint was "Rheumatismus." Returned to Duty December 24, 1862.

He is concurrently listed as "Absent enlisted men accounted for: Sick" on Regimental Return of Co. I, 8 Regiment Georgia Infantry, for the month of November 1862.

Joseph's name appears on a Register of sick and wounded Confederates in the hospitals in and about Gettysburg, Pa., after the battle of July 1, 2 and 3, 1863. Position on Register lists "Private, Nurse, Co. I, 8 Regiment Georgia."

He appears on a Roll of Prisoners of War at the hospitals in and about Gettysburg, Pa., captured July 1, 2 and 3, 1863. Remarks: Transferred to Provost Marshal.

Admitted July 28, 1863, to United States of America (USA) General Hospital, West's Buildings, Baltimore, Md. Sent to "G.H." July 30, 1863.

His name appears on a Roll of Prisoners of War sent from Baltimore, Md., to Point Lookout, Md., August 20, 1863. Reflects " Captured: Gettysburg. When captured: July 5, 1863."

He appears on a Roll of Prisoners of War at Point Lookout, Md., reflecting "Date of arrival Baltimore, Md., August 21, 1863." Remarks reflect, "Exchanged February 18, 1865."

His name appears on Company Muster Roll of Co. I, 8 Regiment Georgia Infantry for March and April 1864, listed as "Absent" and the remarks reflect: "detached as Nurse at Gettysburg, Pa."

Again his name appears on Company Muster Roll of Co. I, 8 Regiment Georgia Infantry for July and August 1864, and September and October 1864, listed as "Absent" and the remarks reflect: "Prisoner of War."

His name appears as signature to a roll of Prisoners of War paroled at Point Lookout, Md., February 18, 1865. Roll is indorsed [sic]: "Received at Boulwares & Cox Wharf, James River, Feb'y 20 and 21st, 1865, from Lt. Col. Jno. E. Mulford, U.S. Asst. Agt. for Exchange, Three Thousand and Thirty-eight (3038) paroled Confederate prisoners of war on this roll, including officers. -Ro. Ould, Agent of Exchange."

He appears on a Register of Receiving and Wayside Hospital, or General Hospital No. 9, Richmond, Virginia, reflecting admittance on February 20, 1865. Disposition: Jackson (Hospital) Date: February 21, 1865.

He appears on a Register of Jackson Hospital, Richmond, Virginia. Reflects Anderson's Brigade. Diagnosis: "Diarrhea ac." Admitted February 21, 1865. Reflects transfer to Camp Lee on March 1, 1865.

Joseph's name appears on Hospital Muster Roll of paroled prisoners, sick in 1st Division of Jackson Hospital, Richmond, Virginia, dated February 22, 1865. Listed as "Present." Remarks reflect, "Paroled prisoner."

He appears on Hospital Muster Roll of soldiers, sick in 1st Division of Jackson Hospital, at Richmond, Virginia, dated February 25, 1865. Listed as "Present."

Joseph E. F. Davis was "detached as a nurse" at Gettysburg. It is speculated that he arranged to attend to his wounded brother William during his recovery while at Gettysburg. Both brothers became prisoners of war during or just after the Gettysburg event.

The 8th Georgia suffered a 55.1% loss rate in this fighting. In spite of the high casualty rate, Anderson's Georgians were still full of fight. A Private, Jeremiah Watson, of the 59th Georgia summed it up best for his fellow comrades when he stated that he did not believe they were licked, ". . .for the Georgia boys were 'fightin' fools' and there was plenty of fighting left to do wherever they went."