This collection houses two books that Union Sergeant Charles H. Pierce used to keep a diary and record roll call in addition to a formal studio portrait depicting Pierce in his later years wearing his Grand Army of the Republic Star. The roll books and diary document the actions of Company C of the 129th Regiment of Ohio Volunteer Infantry. Both notebooks contain muster rolls for the company, including one from the Cumberland Gap dated November 27, 1863. The second notebook also contains a daily account of Pierce's activities dating from August 24, 1863 through January 12, 1864. Most of the entries detail marching orders and picket duties.

Some entries, however, describe the preparations that the regiment made for attacks and skirmishes that they were involved in. On November 18, 1863 at Cumberland Gap, Pierce notes that on account of important news from the front, the soldiers are forced to abandon their winter quarters and move up the mountain to attain a better defensive position. The December 2, 1863 entry provides a detailed account of fighting at the Clinch River, noting that it was the first time our men had been under fire but there was no flinching and we returned the fire with a will we kept up.