In the diary, Judge Bacon discusses various court cases and the mode of travel he uses to get to each of the cases. He discusses traveling with the Union Army and going to different forts during the Civil War. He also reviews the daily weather, and takes accounting notes for his farm. The writing for each date is between two and three statements, which are often written in fragments. The diary is helpful to see the different cases and duties of a Circuit Judge and to track different forts and battles that occurred during 1861. It is limited to the emotions of Judge Bacon and does not convey why he traveled with the Union Army.

The diary begins with content about his traveling to different towns and counties for various court cases. He mentions comments and arguments passengers were discussing during his travels to and from court cases. Bacon notes the letters he has received during the year, and also takes notes on the amount of sales that were made on his farm. Later in the diary, he documents having dinner with the 8th regiment of the Michigan Calvary as well as travelling to different states and visiting various forts during the Civil War. He discusses participating in the National Fasting Day of Humiliation, established by President Lincoln. The diary ends with his return to Niles, Michigan, and he records his accounts of the farms and distinct holidays.