The first letter in this collection, although undated, was probably written by Phebe Denison Miner (1802-1855), announcing the birth of John Owen Fish (brother to Simeon Gallup Fish) on January 10, 1939. Following this is correspondence from Simeon's brothers and sisters while he was aboard the ship B.F. HOXIE in 1857, and also during the time he was with the 26th Connecticut Regiment in the Civil War. They give information about the ships being built in Mystic, the prominent citizens of the town, the friends of the Fish children, and the parties that were held. There are several letters from John Owen Fish in Wisconsin, telling of his life in a small lumber town and his homesickness for his family. Included also are two letters from Robert H. Clift that graphically describe the fighting at Belmont, Mississippi (Nov. 1861) and Murphysboro, Illinois (Jan. 1862).