Little is known about Joseph M. Cush, the author of the letter in this collection. At the time the letter was written, Cush was apparently living at "Campus, Miss." It is also possible that Cush was originally from, or later lived in Bogalusa, Washington Parish, Louisiana, as indicated by an annotation in pencil on the verso of the letter.

This collection consists of an undated letter written by Joseph M. Cush and an unidentified and undated black-and-white portrait of a young African-American man. In the letter addressed to "Miss Rosa" at an unknown location, Cush courts her by quoting a few lines from English poet John Milton. The letter is annotated in pencil, "Mr. J. M. Cush, Bougalussa, La.," by an unknown hand. The portrait may be of Cush.

1. Letter. n.d. 1 item.
2. Photograph. n.d. 1 item.