The collection consists of a police blotter from the 17th Precinct (also known as the Bowery) in New York City, spanning April 27 through July 22, 1861. Information in the blotter includes police officers on duty and commanding officers for each day, civil and criminal offenses, lost and returned children, deserters, inmates, and accidents. Most entries record the date and time of the arrest, the offender's name, address, age, place of birth, occupation, marital status, whether the offender can read or write, and a brief description of the charges. Civil and criminal offenses include, but are not limited to, assault, disorderly conduct, theft, intoxication, selling obscene books, cross-dressing, homicide, begging, violating Sunday law, improper driving, interfering with officers, and passing counterfeit money.