There appear to be multiple hands who wrote in the diary, some more legibly than others; at times the handwriting is also badly faded. "Adams Jno" is written on the first page of the volume. The diary author(s) turned the volume to write in a variety of directions, and dates are scattered throughout the volume, in some cases earlier dates from 1863 in the middle and later dates from 1864 at the front and back of the volume.

Diary entries from 1863-1865 discuss camping sites, marching, battles and skirmishes, the weather, deaths of fellow soldiers, what may be biblical or poetic quotations and spiritual reflections, etc. The author(s) frequently mention names of other soldiers and companies/regiments. Places mentioned in the diary include Springfield, Missouri; Roseville, Fort Smith, and Clarksville, Arkansas; a convalescence hospital; and Fort Leavenworth, North Lawrence, Trading Post, and Fort Scott, Kansas. Companies D and E of the Second Kansas Calvary were involved in skirmishes with Confederate soldiers in Roseville, Arkansas in March and April 1864.

Information from 1865-1867 written in the volume mostly appears to consist of financial accounts, particularly with individuals located in Trading Post, Linn County, Kansas.

Most of the volume has been used; some pages are loose and otherwise the volume should be handled with care.