The author was an officer in the 123rd Illinois (mounted infantry). The 123rd Illinois replaced the 75th Indiana which voted against becoming a mounted infantry regiment of Wilder's brigade. The author was assigned to staff duty and removed from line duty. The book provides many insights to living in the field while campaigning in the western theater. The content includes letters to his wife while involved in the Atlanta campaign. The author switches to a diary while marching to Savannah since mail service was nonexistent. Most of the information is common knowledge however new information was related on Union General Jeff C. Davis isolating and abandoning 500 slaves that were following the union army around Savannah. The author provided information that would later affect Davis' promotion.
The author also relates the low opinion of the infantry of the cavalry especially of Kilpatrick’s forces which were assigned to Sherman’s army.
The editor relates that this book is the Union version of the Confederate Sam Watkins. ( )