This collection contains the outgoing correspondence of Leon C. Gaylord to his friend Ed H. Stanard and to his sister Eva Gaylord Westfall while he served in the Philippines from 1898 to 1900 during the Spanish American War. His correspondence, primarily to Stanard, describes in detail his role in the military, various battles he participated in, troop moral, general conditions in the Philippine Islands, and other similar topics. His letters specifically mention the capture of Iloilo Island (part of the Canary Islands), the burning of the cities by insurgents, the Battle of Muntinlupa, and the death of Colonel William C. Smith at the Battle of Manila, the rescue of prisoners of war, and participating in various other encounters. Leon's twelve letters of correspondence have been arranged chronologically. Folder 13 contains a typescript of Gaylord's military travels spanning the period of 1898 to 1916. This typescript contains a log of locations and places Gaylord was stationed.

Two photographs taken of Gaylord while serving in the Spanish American War have been separated from this collection for preservation purposes. Researchers interested in viewing these photographs should inquire with USU's photograph curator.