Three pocket diaries authored by William M. Goudy of Wheeling, (West) Virginia, a corporal in the First West Virginia Volunteer Infantry, Company G, who was mustered into service on 31 October 1862. The entries run from January 1862 through November 1864, when Goudy's company was mustered out at Wheeling. Diary entries are brief and sporadic; subjects discussed include weather, marches, encampments, drilling and inspection, combat, eating, church attendance and sermons, and social visits and events. Goudy also makes record of letters received, money sent home, and items and money received from home. For Goudy's Military Memorial War Record, see A&M 4102, "Civil War Memorial Record of William M. Goudy and Other Material."

In the inside front of the 1862 pocket diary, Goudy wrote his name, place of origin (Wheeling, Virginia), the date 10 December 1861, and the name of this unit. Highlights of the 1862 diary include the First Battle of Kernstown; the Battle of Shiloh; the occupation of Mount Jackson; time spent by Goudy's unit in Washington, D.C., White Sulphur Springs, (West) Virginia, and Culpepper, Virginia; Second Battle of Bull Run; regular entries during the months of August and September; and Goudy being at home in Wheeling during October and November. Memoranda section at the back of the diary includes a record of Goudy's clothing, a folk remedy for consumption, and other information.

Goudy also records his name and unit on the inside front of the 1863 pocket diary, along with several different locations and other names. Highlights of the 1863 diary include time spent at Romney, West Virginia; in July being at North Mountain, near Hedgesville, West Virginia; and 11-13 September fighting at Moorefield, West Virginia with a record of casualties. Memoranda section at the back of the diary includes records of clothing, letters, and names and locations of acquaintances.

The 1864 pocket diary also has Goudy's name and unit recorded on the inside front. Highlights of the 1864 diary include:

3 January - train near Greenland Gap attacked by Captain McNeill 15 May - Battle of New Market 2 June - train attacked by General Imboden's troops near Harrisburg 5 June - six hours of fighting, many prisoners taken 17-18 June - Battle of Lynchburg, captured three pieces of artillery and ten prisoners 21 June - in vicinity of Salem 18 July - near Shenandoah River, one hour fight 24 July - two to three hours of fighting 21 August - night fighting near Charleston 24 August - charge, captured a few prisoners and some cattle 19 September - fight near Winchester, many prisoners taken 9 October - fighting near Fishers Hill, 11 guns taken, along with some prisoners, horses, mules, and wagons 19 October - fighting, Colonel Joseph Thoburn's injury and death, victory, 62 pieces artillery, many wagons and prisoners 21 October - ordered to Newtown to protect hospitals 26 November - mustered out 28 November - received discharge.

Memoranda section at back of diary records clothes, letters, and names of acquaintances. Back of diary also includes a newspaper clipping of a poem entitled "On the War".