This collection consists of a single letter attributed to Charles Baker Davidson and written to "Dear Brother" (probably James Dorman Davidson of Lexington, Virginia). Writing from Evansville [Indiana] on December 24, 1861, Davidson comments on the difficulties of communicating via mail with Virginia during the war and shares news of his situation: "We have left this place [and] are staying at present at New Albany. ... The troubles of these times have jossled [sic] me out of my conf. [and] I am now without any regular employment." He briefly discusses his prospects, the wellbeing of other family members, and notes that he has enclosed "a letter from A. [likely brother Alexander H. Davidson] which will speak for itself."

Appended to Davidson's letter is a brief note from J. W. Hughes of Caseyville (Union County), Kentucky. Writing from Hopkinsville, Kentucky on January 2, 1862, Hughes states that Davidson's letter had been forwarded to him for transmission, that his community has weekly mail communication with Hopkinsville, and that he will forward any future correspondence that he receives via care of Ben Berry of Hopkinsville.