The collection contains a letter written by sailor Edwin C. Stone aboard the U.S.S. Minnesota, November 11, 1861 to his brother Persley Stone. The majority of letter is advice from Edwin to Persley on how to behave at his new job. It also contains a run in between the Minnesota and an "infernal machine," and the threat of the Merrimac attacking. During the Battle of Hampton Roads, March 8, 1862, Stone's ship the Minnesota was run aground and attacked by the Merrimac/Virginia.