James H. Cronkhite Letters
Scope and Content
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.
Dates
- 1862
Creator
- Chronkhite, James H. (Person)
Language of Materials
The materials in the collection are in English.
Conditions Governing Access
The collection is open for research.
Conditions Governing Reproduction and Use
The copyright status of this collection is unknown. Copyright restrictions may apply. Contact Special Collections and University Archives for assistance in determining the use of these materials.
Reproduction or digitization of materials for personal or research use can be requested using our reproduction/digitization form: http://bit.ly/scuareproduction. Reproduction or digitization of materials for publication or exhibit use can be requested using our publication/exhibition form: http://bit.ly/scuapublication. Please contact Special Collections and University Archives (specref@vt.edu or 540-231-6308) if you need assistance with forms or to submit a completed form.
Biographical Note
James H. Cronkhite was born in New York in 1827. Cronkhite married Jane Griffith in Rice County, Minnesota on August 6, 1860. During the American Civil War, he enlisted as a private in Company I, 4th Minnesota Infantry, mustering in on October 22, 1861. He was discharged on December 21, 1862, due to disability. The 1870 census lists James H. Cronkhite, a 44-year-old brick-maker, and Jennie Conkhite, 29, living in Rice County with two children and a domestic servant. James H. Cronkhite died in Warsaw (Rice County), Minnesota on September 20, 1873, and was buried in Warsaw Cemetery.
Extent
0.1 Cubic Feet (1 folder)
Abstract
Four letters written by James H. Cronkhite (1827-1873), serving in Company I, 4th Minnesota Infantry during the American Civil War, to wife Jennie in Warsaw (Rice County), Minnesota, from camps and a division hospital in Mississippi.
Source of Acquisition
The James Cronkhite Letters were purchased by Special Collections and University Archives in 1989.
Rights Statement for Archival Description
The guide to the James H. Cronkhite Letters by Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, is licensed under a CC0 (https://creativecommons.org/share-your-work/public-domain/cc0/).
General
This collection had originally been assigned the title "James Cronkhite Correspondence." The collection was assigned the new title "James Cronkhite Letters" during processing.
Processing Information
The processing and description of the James Cronkhite Letters commenced and was completed in February 2022.
- Title
- James H. Cronkhite Letters, 1862
- Status
- Completed
- Author
- John M. Jackson
- Date
- 2022 (CC0 1.0)
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
Revision Statements
- 2020-09-01: Finding aid notes updated to new department standards. juliags
- 2021-05-13: LM Rozema added missing notes for an unprocessed collection (abstract, source, processing, bio note), added FA title, added FA date from EAD, and added component with instances previously attached to collection level.
Repository Details
Part of the Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech Repository
Special Collections and University Archives, University Libraries (0434)
560 Drillfield Drive
Newman Library, Virginia Tech
Blacksburg Virginia 24061 US
540-231-6308
specref@vt.edu