This collection consists of three diaries kept by Robert Galbraith during the American Civil War.

The first diary documents the beginning and end of 1863. Galbraith gives details of army positions and life. He is present at the Battle of Stones River on December 30 and 31, 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.

The second diary covers 1864 and includes a cash account registry at the end. Galbraith tells about the weather and making his way to Nashville, his friends, and a commotion concerning the consolidation of two regiments. He relates the movements of Captains Phillips and Wright. He recounts a few visits to the theatre. On February 14, Galbraith reminisces, “This morning is the 4th anniversary of my marriage and Captain Myers came today with 22 recruits from the mountains.” On March 11, 1864, Robert ends his military career with the 5th Tennessee Cavalry. The rest of 1864 includes attending the circus, trips to Louisville, Bell Buckle, Cincinnati, and more. On November 2, Galbraith writes that his daughter Mattie has died.

The third diary documents 1865 and also includes a cash registry at the end. 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; and hunting, fishing and staying at the Sewanee Hotel in Nashville. For part of January, Galbraith 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”). On April 5, 1865 Galbraith witnesses the installation of Governor W. G. Brownlow (“a very imposing Scene”). Galbraith recounts many travels including to Nashville, Louisville, Cincinnati and Washington D.C., sometimes with prominent figures such as Brownlow.