Most of the collection consists of letters written by four brothers, Stanley, Charles, Henry, and Edward Howard, to their sister Ella and/or their parents, Joseph F. and Nancy Minerva (Pelton) Howard, in Leeds, a section of Northampton, Mass., during their service in the Civil War.

Corporal Joseph “Stanley” Howard served with Co. G 27th Regt Mass. Vol. from 1861-1865 and wrote from such locations as Camp Hampshire, Newbern and Washington NC; Annapolis and Baltimore MD; York PA; and Julians Creek VA. Charles A. Howard was at Carver Hospital, Washington D.C. early in the War, and later at Ft. Ellsworth VA, Newport Barracks, Annapolis MD, and Plymouth NC. Henry N. Howard served with Co. D, 10th Reg. MA Volunteers and was wounded at Malvern Hill. His letters are from, among other places, Camp Brightwood, Washington D.C.

Edward H. Howard was a sailor aboard the U.S.S. Vermont, and was in Honolulu in 1869. The ship Camella and bark T.D. Thompson are also mentioned.

The collection also contains letters to or from the younger sons of Joseph and Nancy M. Howard, Fred W. and Will S. Howard, who both spent time in the Midwest, including Minnesota and Michigan, in the 1870s and 1880s. In addition to the letters, there are some tax bills for Joseph Howard of Leeds, Mass., 1860-1877; newspaper clippings on the Goshen Flood; receipts for medical care; an obituary for Lucy A.H. Chase of Flint, Michigan; and poetry, including a two page handwritten poem/song extoling the virtues of the Confederacy.