This collection consists mainly of Civil War era letters from Lt. N.Y. There are a few letters from before the war, including some from Baker's sisters who taught school in Alabama and Mississippi. His brother Allan ran a school in the South and stayed there for the duration of the war. One of Lizzie's letters contains an interesting account of a murder that occurred in her area. Also included are several letters from a suitor to Lizzie.
Some letters mention the growing tensions between North and South.
In 1862, Baker wrote about joining the army and his travels after signing up. Va. He wrote about Burnside's replacement of McClellan as commander of the Army of the Potomac. A December letter describes a typical day's activities. On 13 November, he discussed the problem of drunkenness in the Army. On 23 October, he referred to the Emancipation Proclamation.