These papers consist mainly of photocopies (and some transcriptions) of letters written by John W. Geary to his second wife, Mary Geary, while he served in the Union Army during the Civil War between 1861 and 1865. Some letters predate the war, and others are written by John's son, Edward R. Geary, and sent to his stepmother Mary. The collection also includes an index of correspondence and information on the corps that Geary led.