The Mexican War journals and other papers of Marine Second Lieutenant Henry Bulls Watson came to the division's attention by way of the late Mr. Ralph W. Donnelly. The journals, three in number, cover the periods 11 January 1845 to 20 May 1846, 21 May 1846 to 5 May 1848, and 9 July 1846 to 22 December 1846 when Lieutenant Watson commanded the Marine guard on board the Sloop of War Portsmouth. Two are "typical" journals, the third is what Watson termed his "military journal," containing his daily reports, in letter form, passports issued, and other material, while in command of the Marine security guard and local volunteer force at Yerba Buena (San Francisco).

Philip Van Buskirk enlisted in the U.S. Marines in 1846, when he was twelve years old. Beginning in 1851, he recorded his thoughts and experiences on board ship, providing a firsthand account of the countries he visited, the brawling nation in which he lived, and the everyday life and homoerotic exploits of the sailors and marines who sailed with him. In this intimate portrait, the author draws on Van Buskirk's unconventional and revelatory diaries and on social, religious, and medical writings of the time.