The letters concern the Crimean War, describing Sir Charles Maitland's journey to Sebastopol, the actions in which he took part, and his convalescence after being wounded. There is a rough plan of the battle of Balaclava at folio 226 verso. At folio 281 is a letter, 1855, from General Sir George Higginson to Maitland. Some of the letters are incomplete, and each is followed by a typed transcript.