E. M. Whaley begins this memoir with a description of his early life, his study in Vevey, Switzerland (from whence he ran away) and in Heidelberg, Germany, and his return to the U.S. He goes on to recount obtaining a position on Governor F. W. Pickens' staff, his return to Germany, his service with the Westphalian Corps (during which time he fought ten duels), and his return to America to serve with the Charleston Light Dragoons (C.S.A.) and the 1st South Carolina Infantry (C.S.A.) during the Civil War. Whaley ends his account with a description of his return to his family, his brief term practicing law with his father, and his marriages. Also included are two newspaper articles from the Charleston Evening Post. One describes the sinking of the Housatonic; the other is an obituary for E. M. Whaley. All of these items are typewritten transcriptions of the originals.