This collection contains a letter by Mary Hughes from Wheeling, Virginia (now West Virginia), to her husband Alfred Hughes on October 28, 1862, during the American Civil War. The letter discusses Alfred's imprisonment as a Confederate political prisoner at Union prison Camp Chase in Columbus, Ohio. She also details the measures being taken to secure his release, to get a prison pass, and general updates on family members. The envelope for the letter has a note from Alfred Hughes expressing his love and admiration for his wife, and it is marked as examined by D. B. Tiffany, the prison postmaster.

The collection also contains a transcription of the letter.