The three diaries in this collection begin with all or some of the following: the distance from New York to major cities in the U. S., stamp duties, postage duties, times of sunrise, sunsets, and moon rises in New York and San Francisco, calendars and moon phases. In 1863, Robert Galbraith gives details of army positions and life. He is present at the Battle of Stones River on December 30 and 31st, 1862 and continues to write about the movement of his regiment in the first days of 1863. There are no entries from January 13 to September 7, 1863. He is ill at Christmas and confined to bed.

In 1864, Robert tells about the weather and making his way to Nashville, his friends, and a commotion in the Regiment, concerning the consolidation of two regiments. He relates the movements of Captains Phillips and Wright. Robert goes to the theatre with Captain Elkin. Maggie Mitchell is an actress. Robert attends church on January 24th. While encamped 3 miles from Nashville in February, Robert Galbraith goes to the theatre with Cochran, Miss Price and Miss Taylor. On February 14th, Galbraith reminisces, This morning is the 4th anniversary of my marriage and Captain Myers came today with 22 recruits from the mountains. Galbraith tells of a man named Law, who runs away from Company F on Sunday, February 21, 1864 and is cruelly robbed and murdered. Law is buried in Mr. Campbell's graveyard near our camp. On this same date, Robert relates that he is turning in his resignation. Mr. Jn. A. Jackson on February 24th presents Robert with a fine Diamond. On March 11, 1864, Robert ends his military career with the 5th Tennessee Cavalry.

The keywords provided in this finding aid do not serve as an every name index for any of the diaries. A cash account registry is at the end of the 1864 diary. The rest of 1864 includes attending the circus, a trip to Louisville, Bell Buckle, Cincinnati and etc. Robert Galbraith speaks fondly of fishing with his father. In October, Robert's baby is very ill with spasms and is sinking. On November 2, 1864, Our little daughter (Mattie) is dead.

In January 1865, Galbraith mentions the position of the 5th Tennessee Calvary in Florence, Alabama, attendance at a Masonic Lodge meeting in which W. S. Jackson and T. S. Clay are elected, hunting, fishing and staying at the Sewanee Hotel in Nashville. From January 1st to January 11th, Robert registers at the bottom of the pages the smiles that he is either giving or receiving. Five Smiles during the day, narry a smile today... While attending the Orphan's Fair in Nashville in February, he purchases a large pair of iron spectacles. On April 5, 1865 Galbraith witnesses the installation of Governor W. G. Brownlow-a very imposing Scene. Lieutenant Nelson becomes a Captain in the 5th Cavalry on May 29th. In 1865 Galbraith travels to Nashville, Louisville, Cincinnati and Washington D.C. with many prominent figures such as Governor Brownlow to meet the President of the United States and tour the Navy Yard. Galbraith met with Col. Pembroke(?)about our claims against the Government to get him to try to collect them. He is in Washington from June 15th through the 28th. Colonel Dick Green's horse bridle breaks on August 20, 1865 and Green suffers with cuts on his face. Galbraith's sister, Edith, marries Captain B. F. Jackson of Janesville, Ohio in Shelbyville, Tennessee on November 22, 1865. Jackson served in the 188th Ohio Volunteer Infantry. On November 28th, Robert Galbraith surrenders to the Sheriff in the Wells Case and obtains a bond. Old Aunt Kitty Greer dies at 9:00 o'clock on December 16, 1865. She is about 87 years old. A cash account registry is at the end of the 1865 diary.