The diaries cover the period January 1-December 31, 1863; January 1-December 31, 1864; and January 1-May 31, 1865. They consist of brief daily entries giving information on the weather, drills and parades, court martials, furloughs, social activities, food, and army life in general.

The entries for January 1, 1863 through May 16, 1864, describe the quartering of troops at Fort Ripley and Paynesville, with trips to St. Cloud and other towns in the area. From May 16 through October 15, 1864, the entries give brief descriptions of the weather, movement of troops, the search for Indians, and other matters relating to the Sully Expedition. There seems to be little mention of battles. At this time the regiment was a part of the Second Minnesota Brigade and was a cavalry unit. The brigade traveled from Fort Ridgley to Fort Berthold, Dakota Territory, reaching the latter on August 30 and arriving back at Fort Snelling on October 15.

On October 26, 1864, the regiment was ordered South, traveling by the Mississippi River, then by railroad to Chicago, arriving in Louisville, Kentucky on November 1. At this time the regiment was a part of the Third Brigade, First Division, 23rd Army Corps. There are brief descriptions of the weather, the trip to Louisville, and the Battle of Nashville (December 4) where his brother Elbridge was killed. The 1865 entries record engagements in Goldsboro (N.C.) and Kingston and Bentonville (Tenn.); the occupation of Raleigh, North Carolina; and of Charlotte, North Carolina when the war ended. There is a brief mention of General William T. Sherman's review of troops (March 23), news of Lee's surrender (April 11), and reactions to the death of Lincoln (April 19).