This collection consists of nine letters and two printed bridge diagrams on silk regarding the rebuilding of the burned bridge crossing the Tennessee River at Loudon, Tennessee during the United States Civil War. These letters consists of orders for rebuilding the bridge, transfer of troops from Cincinnati, Ohio and Louisville, Kentucky to Loudon, and technical information. In a letter dated February 9, 1864, Col. D. C. McCallum, General Manager of the R. R. Division of the Mississippi, informs Lt. Col. J. L. Donaldson, General and Supr. Qr. Ms. Dept. of the Cumberland, I have this day closed a contract with W. H. Bristol for the reconstruction of the Tenn. River Bridge at Louden . . . I have in behalf of the U. S. agreed, that men, materials, and supplies shall be transported from Cincinnati or Louisville to Nashville, by Boat or Railroad, at the rates paid by the United States, and from thence to Louden free. The other letters related to the rebuilding of the Loudon bridge discuss splice blocks, rails, spikes, and ties; ordering a pile driver to be sent to Johnsonville, and are from manufacturers of a steam pumping machine and a drilling machine with pile driver and hydraulic sand pump.

In addition, the collection also contains two other Civil War era letters. The first letter, dated August 7, 1862, concerns a transfer of money via Adams Express between Major Zalmon S. Main and P. S. Lincoln. Main sends $160 to Lincoln noting that I feel myself under many obligations to you for past favors. The second letter written by Margaret A. Kirkland to Mrs. White on November 16, 1863, discusses domestic affairs and the wages paid to teachers in Kansas. Kirkland states that school teachers do not get paid as good wages in Kansas as they do in the eastern states for there are a great many willing to teach and not very much money in the county to pay them.