The collection consists of a single Civil War diary kept by John F. Moody between June and July 1861, not long after he enlisted. Moody's entries include his regiment's activities, as well as local events, attending sermons and religious services, and war news. He comments frequently, and somewhat philosophically, on the concept of war and its effect on men. For the most part, entries are chronological between June 5th and July 16th, those there are three earlier pencil entries at the start of the diary dated June 10, 11, and 13.