This collection contains the correspondence of a Union soldier named Charles during the American Civil War. It comprises twelve wartime letters dating from September 22, 1861, through July 4, 1864. The earliest letter finds him in Annapolis, where his regiment is plagued by a series of terrible accidents. From there his regiment heads to Virginia, then up to Washington, where the bulk of these letters are written. On August 24, 1862, he writes of the upcoming Battle of Harpers Ferry. He goes on to write extensively of his time as a guard at Carroll Prison, where Rebel prisoners are kept. After his time as a prison guard, Charles is stationed in Suffolk, where he enthusiastically details his frightful excitement during battle. The final letter, written on July 4, 1864, finds Charles in camp near Petersburg, Virginia, and he mentions building a fort and the death of a Colonel Ryan.