This collection contains 34 letters that Francis wrote to his wife, Harriet, and 19 letters that Harriet wrote to him between 1864 and 1865. Francis's letters deal primarily with camp and regimental life. He relates interesting anecdotes having to do with life in the regiment and tells his wife of their movements and activities. As might be expected, Francis does not dwell on the battles that the 111th Pennsylvania participated in, possibly to avoid worrying Harriet. Indeed, Francis is at pains to assure his wife that he is well and will come home at the earliest opportunity.

After Francis was wounded in 1864, his letters speak of hospital life and his road to recovery. He frequently assures his wife that he is well and improving quickly, although he is still lame. Francis was also a religious man, and his letters occasionally speak of his faith and of his religious views.

Harriet's letters to Francis deal primarily with life at home in Fairview. She usually assures Francis that she is well and tells him of their young daughter Florence's doings, including her assorted illnesses and injuries. She also emphasizes with his life as a soldier, saying that battle must be terrifying and that he must be tired from so much marching. She also expresses her fervent wish that he will soon be able to return home safely and mentions that she fears for his safety when he does not write her letters to let her know that he is well.

Unfortunately, some of these letters have been damaged by rodents, who have chewed them into near illegibility. Others have become severely faded as a result of their age. Although these letters have been preserved as well as is possible under the circumstances, many of them can no longer be deciphered.