The collection consists of a single letter from Lt. Colonel Clarence Derrick (1837-1907), 23rd Battalion, Virginia Infantry, to President Andrew Johnson (which Derrick misspells as "Johnston"), dated June 17, 1865. Derrick writes to petition his release from Fort Delaware, following the end of the war and his signing the amnesty oath. Derrick was released on June 24, 1865, though whether because of the petition or not is unknown. The letter was forwarded on Derrick's behalf to President Johnson by Brigadier General Albin Schoepf, commander of Fort Delaware.

The collection also includes an Oath of Allegiance signed by Derrick at Fort Delaware, June 1865.