Lieutenant General Leonidas Polk wrote this broadside, entitled A Proclamation. To All Soldiers, in This Department Absent from Their Commands Without Leave, from his headquarters in Demopolis, Alabama on April 16, 1864. In it, he offers to pardon soldiers who have deserted if they return to their commands.

The collection contains photocopies of military papers of Thomas H. Bowen, including muster rolls, and materials related to his enlistment, desertions, and discharge. Materials are dated from March 31, 1864 (his date of enlistment) to 1886 (date his discharge certificate was furnished).