This collection contains a manuscript draft written by Herman Haupt, who served as the chief of construction and transportation for the Union Army's military railroad system during the American Civil War. The draft formed the basis of Reminiscences of General Herman Haupt, self-published in 1901.

Haupt's reminiscences focus on his service as chief of railroad construction and transportation. They include Haupt's memories of personal interactions with President Lincoln, his cabinet, and the commanding generals of the armies of the Union. Not included here is the biographical sketch, written by Frank Abial Flower, that appears in Haupt's published reminiscences.

The 349-leaf draft differs markedly from the published book, containing a number of passages--some short, others more significant--that do not appear in the latter. The original preface and introduction, for example, were omitted from the book. At the same time, the manuscript itself is incomplete. Most noticeably, the manuscript lacks the section corresponding to pages 231 to 289 in the book. Meanwhile, a set of unnumbered leaves, perhaps from an earlier draft, corresponds roughly to chapter 21 in the published work, though this set of leaves also includes the final page of what would become, in the book, chapter 23.

Inserted within the draft are Civil War correspondence, telegraph messages, reports, and general orders (originals and typescript copies). Among the correspondence--and comprising the final leaf of the draft--is an 1889 letter from Robert Todd Lincoln.