Collection contains letters and some drawings by Olivett during his service as a private in the 90th New York Regiment known as the "Hancock Guards," written home to his sister, Orpha Beers, in Pawling, N.Y. Olivett describes and comments on camp life at Key West, Florida; Louisiana; Harrisonburg, Virginia; Washington, D.C.; and Savannah, Georgia. He describes being ill with yellow fever and typhoid in Key West (1862), and includes drawings of his captain, John Sullivan (who died of yellow fever in 1862) as well as some sailboats.

Biographical Sketch of Creators: John M. Olivett was a private in the 90th New York Infantry Regiment, originally from Pawling, New York. Olivett spelled his surname at least four different ways: Olivet, Olivett, Ollivett, and Ollivet.