The diary itself is a "Pocket Diary 1863." which was "Published Annually MDCCCLXIII". The diary contains, in order:

1. Title page "Pocket Diary 1863."
2. A table of "Distances and Time By Railroad from New York to the following places". The table lists 29 major US cities from Albany, NY, to Wheeling, Va. (The distance to Richmond is 356 miles while the time is 18 1/2 hours.)
3. "List of Sundays in the Year 1863."
4. "Almanac. 1863." This is a calendar for the year.
5. "Rates of Postage." This page lists the cost to mail various items to the United States, Canada, Great Britain or Ireland, and France. A letter to France cost 15 cents for each ounce while those mailed in the United States not exceeding 3000 miles cost 10 cents for up to 1/2 ounce weight.
6. "Eclipses in 1863." �In the year 1863 there will be Four Eclipses; two of the Sun, and two of the Moon.� The table lists the times and dates for the eclipses in New York, St. Louis, and San Francisco.
7. "Almanac for 1863." This table lists the moon�s phases, sun�s rise and set time, moon�s set time, and the high water time for every day in the year.
8. The diary which contains one page for each day in the year.

1. A small newspaper clipping regarding movements of General Mclellan through New York city.
2. A newspaper clipping with the title "Rich Men". The piece is taken from "St. Augustine�s Sermon on Lazarus and Dives."
3. A newspaper clipping describing a recipe for a remedy for chronic diarrhea and dysentery.
4. A newspaper clipping containing a poem entitled "He Waits for Me in Heaven". The piece was �Written For The American Union� by Abbie M. Follansbee.
5. A clipping of a prayer without a name.
6. What looks like a recipe requiring oil bergamot, lavender, cloves, and cinnamon.
7. A pass from �Medical Director�s Office, Headquarters, Department of the Gulf, New Orleans� admitting Marvin Adams into St. Louis General Hospital on June 22, 1863.
8. A small booklet entitled "A Talk With the Camp" printed in New York by Anson D.F. Randolph, 683 Broadway, 1863. The booklet contains a reprint of an article that appeared in the New York Evening Post.
9. A note from Harlan W. Angier, grandson of Marvin Adams, stating " This was my grandfathers diary while in service in the Civil War. He died at New Orleans on the way (march) back, of, probably typhoid fever but also just as probably dysentery. There are some little clippings he carried in his diary. [signed] H.W.A." Marvin Adams died on July 9, 1863.