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This collection includes four telegrams and one letter, 1862-1865, from Davis to C.S.A. Generals Braxton Bragg, Joseph E. Johnston, and Robert E. Lee and Col. William Preston Johnston concerning conduct of the war; nine letters, 1867-1882, from Davis to General William Nelson Pendleton, the majority discussing the preparation of Davis' book, The Rise and Fall of the Confederate Government; one letter dated Feb. 4, 1887 from Davis to Mrs. Mary Meredith refusing assistance from Texas friends; one letter dated Sept. 3, 1862 (photocopy) to the Govenor of South Carolina concerning the execution of the conscription law passed by the Confederate States of America; one printed broadside dated January 5, 1863, issued by Davis in answer to Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation. There is also a clipped signature written in two hands, which has been mounted: 'Very Respectfully and truthfully yours, Jefferson Davis' and an unused envelope with two first national confederate flags printed in red, black, and blue. The text says 'Hon. Jefferson Davis, the Champion of the South.'

Diary, 1938-1942, of Lawrence F. Ludtke of Oakland, California. In daily entries Ludtke talks about the different jobs he held, like clerk and accountant, and the at times difficult search for jobs. He also mentions his parents and wife, daily chores and social activities. In March 1942 Ludtke got drafted into the U.S. Marines and reported for training to the U.S. Marine base in San Diego. He describes his training and the various jobs, like 'super' and checking car tags, etc. he held at the Alameda Naval Air Station in California after missing the qualification to be marksman. Some entries include comments on WW II events.

This collection consists of a hand written patriotic speech entitled 'On the Military Condition of College' given by an unknown Washington College (Va.) student in the college chapel in February 1861. The orator uses Washington College's three significant historical themes linking it to the American Revolution: the schools George Washington connection, its support by the Society of the Cincinnati, and the raising of the academy's military company, the "Liberty Hall Volunteers," against British officer Banastre Tarleton's threat to western Va. The orator's intent was to inspire patriotism and readiness in response to the 1860/61 political climate in the region, specifically the regional response to the election of President Abraham Lincoln and the subsequent secession of six Southern states.