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This collection is made up of correspondence and receipts related to Juliette F. Gaylord's work with the Ladies' Soldiers' Aid Society in Fitzwilliam, New Hampshire, during the Civil War. Gaylord, the group's secretary, corresponded with members of the United States Sanitary Commission's New-England Women's Auxiliary Association and with Hannah A. Adams, a Fitzwilliam native who worked in the South during the war.

This collection is made up of correspondence and receipts related to Juliette F. Gaylord's work with the Ladies' Soldiers' Aid Society in Fitzwilliam, New Hampshire, during the Civil War. Gaylord, the group's secretary, corresponded with members of the United States Sanitary Commission's New-England Women's Auxiliary Association and with Hannah A. Adams, a Fitzwilliam native who worked in the South during the war.

The collection is comprised of 1 letter to "Mrs. Cahill;" 1 letter and 1 receipt addressed to the Ladies' Soldiers' Aid Society of Fitzwilliam, New Hampshire; 1 printed report; and 12 letters and receipts addressed to Juliette F. Gaylord. Gaylord received correspondence from the New-England Women's Auxiliary Association's executive committee about their efforts to procure flannel and other items for Union soldiers. In her letter of March 10, 1865, F. P. Fox thanked Gaylord for a recent report about the religious composition of the Fitzwilliam Society. Later correspondence pertains to a proposed lecture series and includes a printed questionnaire about potential locations. Other items concerning the Ladies' Soldiers' Aid Society include receipts for in-kind donations to the United States Sanitary Commission and a printed monthly report by the New-England Women's Auxiliary Association (November 20, 1864).

Hannah A. Adams wrote 2 personal letters to Juliette Gaylord in March 1864 about her work in St. Louis, Missouri, and Huntsville, Alabama, where she participated in relief efforts for soldiers. Adams discussed her desire to assist the soldiers, her intention to relocate to Nashville, and black residents' reactions to the arrival of Union troops in Huntsville.

The Octavius Leland diaries contain entries concerning Leland's service in Company C of the 10th Minnesota Infantry, 1863-1865.

The Octavius Leland diaries contain two volumes of near daily entries, spanning October 6, 1863, to June 20, 1865. The two volumes contain a total of 232 written pages. The first volume covers October 6, 1863-September 12, 1864, and the second volume spans September 13, 1864-June 20, 1865. Volume one, which includes 23 newspaper clippings in its front pocket, begins with Leland's travel by train from Elgin, Minnesota, to the barracks at St. Louis, Missouri, during which time, his bag, flute, clothing, and personal effects were stolen. Entries for October 1863-May 1864 describe Leland's time in St. Louis, including his concerts with the regimental band, visits to the city, and military duties. On November 10, 1863, he gave an account of his first visit to downtown St. Louis; he noted with awe the newly built Lindell Hotel with "cars that run to every room," and enjoyed the view of the city from the dome on top of the courthouse. On January 18, 1864, he described a visit to a St. Louis "museum," where he saw a bearded woman and the "Albino Twins of black parents."

Despite the theft of his flute, Leland mentioned playing in several band performances, including the funeral march of "Maj. Brown" (November 7, 1863) and a commemoration of the Battle of Pea Ridge (March 8, 1864). During the latter performance, he was pleased by a "general waiving [sic] of handkerchiefs from the ladies" as he played through the streets. However, on June 1, 1864, a doctor advised him to "quit blowing the fife for awhile" in order to halt dizziness and fainting spells.

During his time in St. Louis, Leland's military responsibilities were light, and allowed him time to sell fruit and carved rings to make extra money (March 9, 1864). By May 1864, however, Leland's regiment was sent to a series of camps in Tennessee, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Alabama, taking part in some minor engagements with guerillas and with Forrest's cavalry, in the Battle of Nashville, the defense of Memphis during Forrest's raid, and the Siege of Mobile and capture of Fort Blakely. The most notable aspect of Leland's service, however, was his long and ultimately unsuccessful bout with disease. He suffered particularly after July 1864; the second volume of Leland's diary chronicles near constant sickness, including diarrhea and respiratory problems. Too weak for duty much of the time, Leland was assigned to assist ambulance personnel, and to other support roles for the regiment. Despite the length and evident severity of his sickness, his requests for a discharge were repeatedly denied, and his Captain apparently believed that he was attempting to shirk his duty. He died of the effects of chronic diarrhea on August 12th, 1865, three days before he was to be mustered out.