The bulk of the collection consists of letters written by Drew to his family in Greenfield, Massachusetts, while serving as a radio operator in the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II, 1943-1946, which were transcribed and printed by his cousin Conrad Totman; and poetry manuscripts, ca. 1946-1975. Included in the poetry are two copies of his book Goat Songs (1970), and letters to Drew about the book; correspondents include James Merrill. The collection also includes photographs of Drew, snapshots taken during World War II, miscellaneous correspondence and sketches.

This collection is organized into six series:

• 1. Personal Affairs and Biographical Material
• 2. Correspondence - Army letters home, 1943-1946
• 3. Other correspondence, 1959-1972
• 4. Poetry
• 5. Photographs
• 6. Sketches