The collection consists of a partial description written by an unknown author of a Union soldier's experience during the first four days of the Wilderness campaign of May 1864 during the American Civil War.

The partial narrative describes the Union experience in the Wilderness campaign from May 3 through May 6, 1864. The narrative describes how the author's II Corps received orders from Major General George Meade ordering them to march south towards battle in Virginia. The experience of the march towards the battle and descriptions of the first skirmishes in the battle are also detailed.

The II Corps actual strength at the beginning of the fight was 46,363 with 28,854 present for duty. The author cites the force as "40,000 soldiers all in line ready for the march."

While the author of the narrative is unknown, the information within it is consistent with the II Corps movements on the days written about. Based on casualty records, there existed at least 27,000 Union soldiers who could potentially be the author.

There is also a transcription of the narrative within the collection.