Diaries cover the period between June 1863 and September 1865 as follows: June - August 1863 January - May 1864 May - August 1864 November - December 1864 1-14 September 15-30 September 1864 October - December 1864 January - March 1865 April - June 1865 July - September 1865. On a day by day basis Arthur chronicles the weather and reports on the fall of Vicksburg the Lincoln assassination ecetera.

"Vicksburg. June 12th 1863. Dear Mary as I want to send this book home I thought I would write as I have not got time to write a letter now, we are at or a little below Malekono bend on the Lousiana side of the river. We will march away today but I can't tell where, I will write as soon as we stop. You must not be uneasy. God will take care of me. I am ... well so good bye, we can hear the canon roar all the time day and night. Vicksburg will soon fall, I think. David B. Arthur Good bye."

[WITH]: D.B. Arthurs checkbook and register (partially used) -- A 2 page ALS signed by Arthur explaining his concern that he can't attend on an (anual ?) meeting of veterans -- 2 printed calling cards -- and Arthurs copy of of CASEY, SILAS. Infantry Tactics Vol. II. New York, 1862.