Robert Indiana kept a series of illustrated journals during the late 1950s and 1960s, in which he discusses the development of his work as well as his daily life on Coenties Slip.

Indiana's journal page for January 5, 1961, includes a sketch of the painting In Praise of Dead Generals. Indiana records painting in the early a.m., extending from the previous night, and notes the colors he used, ivory on Mars, and black on black. He also mentions carrying Jack's (Youngerman) wood constructions to the Scarsdale Studio Workshop, and having dinner with J (fashion designer John Kloss) at Grand Central.