The Howard C. Rather papers consists of Rather's correspondence and diaries documenting his experiences as an Army officer during World War I. Covering the time period of January 1918 to May 1919, the collection includes descriptions of the people Rather dealt with every day, and the conditions he lived in, both in the States and in France. His letters home describe his training at Camp Custer, Michigan; Camp Jackson, South Carolina; Camp Merritt, New Jersey; and Saumur Artillery School, France. The daily routine and activities around him are duly described. He spent the last six months of the war seeing combat duty as part of a field artillery unit in France.

Rather's diaries offer brief entries on his views of his training and activities. The collection includes seven letters written by relatives and fellow soldiers. The entire collection was transcribed by the donor's wife, Lavon H. Rather, and printed in a paperback volume which is included with the collection.