This collection contains four letters written by James H. Cronkhite, a private serving in Company I, 4th Minnesota Infantry during the American Civil War. Written on patriotic stationery to his wife Jennie in Warsaw (Rice County), Minnesota from camps and a division hospital in Mississippi, the letters are dated between June and August 1862. On June 7, 1862, writing from Booneville [Mississippi], Cronkhite discusses personal matters and the false report of three deserters in his company, predicts that the war will end soon ("[T]he whole Rebel Army are put on less than half rations, and their resources are all cut off ..."), and mentions picking blackberries for dinner. Cronkhite writes from Camp Clear Creek on July 23, informing Jennie of having cholera and of undergoing treatment with opium and a mustard plaster. Cronkhite continues to write from the division hospital on August 8 and 23, discussing his illness and prospects for being sent north, remarking on the military efforts of men a home, and explaining the advantages of taking a commission as a first lieutenant rather than captain.