This collection contains a letterbook maintained by Williams Carter Wickham, attorney, farmer, Virginia state senator, Hanover County supervisor, president of the Chesapeake and Ohio Railway Company, and Confederate brigadier general during the American Civil War. The book contains copies of letters written by Wickham from November 25, 1881 to December 29, 1882, while serving as second vice-president of the C&O. Comprising 472 pages, the letters relate to matters both personal and professional. Though copied on C&O letterhead, the vast majority of the letters do not seem to relate directly to the railroad's business. (Many of the letters regard payments on accounts which could be for the railway but appear more likely to be personal.) Much of the correspondence relates to farming matters, especially cattle, sheep, tobacco and wheat. Letters within the book seem to indicate that in addition to managing the family's Hickory Hill plantation, Wickham rented property on the North Wales plantation from his friend Charles Carter in Caroline County, Virginia. Other letters relate to the Virginia Agricultural Society, of which Wickham served as president during this time period.

Other letters relate to Wickham's service on the Hanover County board of supervisors. A number of these letters relate to smallpox vaccinations within the county; others concern road precincts and the commitment of a local African American woman to a state hospital. Wickham's political interests are documented in a number of letters mentioning Virginia issues, especially the settlement of the state debt. Other letters touch on the temperance question, the condition of Virginia's state Republican Party, and attempts to assist friends and acquaintances in obtaining government and other positions.

Very few of the letters within the book are of a purely personal nature. Two exceptions are letters of August 21 and September 1, 1882, in which Wickham provides lengthy details regarding his family and his military service.

The letterbook is accompanied by an index, arranged by name of recipient, and several pieces of miscellanea, including three (1882) Virginia, Kentucky & Ohio Railroad construction account summaries; a photograph of an unidentified train wreck; and a letter from [H.?] Kinsey of Richmond to Wm. C. Sampon of Ivy Depot, Virginia.