The collection contains a bound volume that consists primarily of the diary of Charles Borberg (pages 29-54 of the volume) describing his experiences during a march from Fort Smith, Arkansas, to Fort Union, New Mexico, to Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, with the 57th United States Colored Infantry from June 8 to November 30, 1866. The volume also includes an undated, handwritten draft obituary of John L. Criswell of Stanton, Missouri (obituary is written in pencil and is difficult to read); a page of accounts titled “J.R. Clark Trustee,” 1875-1876 (page 2 of the volume); a page of notes in German script titled “Thoughts, Ideas,” February 19, 1883 (page 120 of the volume) (see transcription and translation below); a page of undated verse in German script titled “Auf die Geburt von J. Aschenbachs Jungsten” [To the Birth of J. Achenbach’s Youngest] (page 121 of the volume) (verse is written in pencil and is difficult to read); memorial verse in German script titled “Wachruf an John Achenbach” [Fanfare to John Achenbach] (page 122 of the volume) (see transcription and translation below); page of names and addresses (page 144 of the volume); page titled “Memorandum of Forwarding of Pension Papers,” which includes several names and addresses (page 145 of the volume); and a page containing two undated newspaper obituaries of Charles Borberg (last page of the volume). Many pages of this bound volume are missing. In addition to the bound volume, the collection also contains a handwritten statement of Charles Borberg recounting his military service in the Civil War up until his discharge on December 13, 1866.