This circular, entitled Appeal to the People of Tennessee, begins with a brief history of Tennessee's recent history that leads to Johnson announcing his appointment as military governor of the state. Within this role, he invites the citizens to support his government appointments until an election can be held, and promises amnesty for all who yield to the authority of the national government. He assures them that there will be no vindictive prosecutions.

This broadside, published by Authority, presents to the citizens of Tennessee the General Assembly's reasons for proposing to leave the United States of America, as well as the Declaration of Independence of Tennessee, the military agreement between Tennessee and the Confederacy, the act to authorize a provisional force, and the Constitution of the Provisional Government of the Confederated States of America.

Isham G. Harris sent this telegram to Major General Gideon J. Pillow on July 2, 1861 (the day that Tennessee was formally admitted into the Confederacy). In it, he discusses transferring Tennessee troops into the Confederate Army.

This collection contains a letter signed by Harry, dated June 2, 1862 from Portland, Maine to Sherbrooke, Canada. The letter is addressed to Miss L. A. Hale in care of the Honorable E. Hale. Predominantly a love letter, Harry mentions seeing William G. "Parson" Brownlow speak, calling him vulgar and profane. He also talks of two musical composers of the time - Louis Moreau Gottschalk and Bringnoli.

This letter penned by W. Gibbs McAdoo, written November 8, 1860, describes the mood in Knoxville, after Abraham Lincoln's election. McAdoo also tells of an incident in which someone tied a tin bucket and a note reading "Going out of the Union" to a dog and turned it loose on Gay Street.

This collection consists of a brief letter from Wade Keyes dated Richmond, August 14, 1861, to J. L. Ramsey in Knoxville. Keyes confirms Ramsey's appointment as attorney for the District of Tennessee.

This circular is addressed to the voters of the second congressional district of Tennessee in order to announce Churchwell's candidacy for reelection to the U.S. House of Representatives, running against Horace Maynard.