Nelson Ainslie Collection

 Letter from Nelson Ainslie to his wife, Mary Ann, dated February 8, 1863. Ainslie explains that due to rebel destruction of the railroads and bridges, they don't receive their mail on a regular basis anymore. He points out that in a previous letter from his daughter, Lottie, she asked him if he was in the Battle of Murfreesboro,of which he responds "no" since his regiment has no leading officers at the moment. He tells of the Negro cook who froze to death and the abundance of rats that infest their camp.

Letter from Nelson Ainslie to his wife, Mary Ann, dated May 29, 1864, while encamped at Rome, Georgia. Ainslie apologizes to wife for not receiving letters on a regular basis and states how the regiment may have possible orders to move towards Atlanta. 

Letter from Nelson Ainslie to his wife, Mary Ann, dated March 3, 1863 while encamped at Nashville, Tennessee. In this letter, Ainslie writes about his health, saying he has caught a cold, and expresses his fear of having his son, Fredy, around water. 

Letter from Nelson Ainslie to his wife, Mary Ann, dated September 25, 1863, while encamped at Columbia, Tennessee. Almost midnight as Ainslie writes this letter to his wife. He notes how camp is really quiet since every man with a horse has been called out for a rescue mission. The mission entails trying to save a guide and four other soliders who were captured by Rebel forces and are going to be hung. Ainslie also promises to get his daughter Lottie a gold locket when he returns home. He also shares with his wife that while he has money to send, he has not seen a safe opportunity to send it yet. 

Letter from Nelson Ainslie to his wife, Mary Ann, dated January 21, 1863. In this letter, Ainslie expresses his desire to see his wife and children. He also encloses two dollars for one of his daughters, Lottie. In the post script, he exclaims his surprise at seeing no good-looking southern women 

Letter from Harvey Rathbun to Nelson Ainslie's wife, Mary Ann, dated September 25, 1864, while encamped at White Hall, Georgia. Harvey Rathbun was a hometown friend and companion of Nelson Ainslie. In his letter, he mentions the excellent health and morale of the troops as the war is drawing to an end. 

Partial Letter from Nelson Ainslie to his wife, Mary Ann, dated August 11, 1863 while encamped at Franklin, Tennessee. In this letter, Ainslie shares with his wife a dream he had about her as well as his homesickness. He also is dismayed that there are no huckleberries down South, but there are wild blackberries, which the troop is unable to get because they are outside the camp line. This letter is missing pages 2 and 3. 

Letter from Nelson Ainslie to his wife, Mary Ann, dated May 11, 1864 while encamped at Buzzard Roost, Georgia. Ainslie relates to his wife seeing a cousin of hers, William Lonnie, and noting how young he is to be in such a war. He also describes a surprise attack against the Michigan 10th from the Rebels. 

Letter from Nelson Ainslie to his wife, Mary Ann, dated February 9, 1863. In this letter, Ainslie discusses financial matters and shares how his regiment is preparing for another big battle. 

Letter from Nelson Ainslie to his wife, Mary Ann, dated February 13, 1863. In this letter, Ainslie shares that he has received his wife and children's letters along with their photographs and that he will be buying a case to keep them in. He also apologizes for hurting his wife's feelings in regards to her letter writing, the weather conditions, and describes the battleground at Murfreesboro. 

Letter from Nelson Ainslie to his wife, Mary Ann, dated October 17, 1863 while encamped at Columbia, Tennessee. Ainslie writes with disgusts how one of their colonels shot and killed a solider in Company B for accidentally brushing up against him. He also notes how the weather has been and how they had recently been in Franklin, Tennessee, but were sent a telegraph warning them of an impending attack by rebel forces, so they moved back to Columbia.

Letter from Nelson Ainslie to his wife, Mary Ann, dated May 19, 1864, while encamped at Rome, Georgia. In this letter, Ainslie describes how his regiment took the city of Rome, the fight against Rebel troops, and staying at a plantation with an abundance of fruit and vegetables. 

Letter from Nelson Ainslie to his wife, Mary Ann, dated January 5, 1863. Ainslie is writing from camp in Nashville, Tennessee. In this letter, he explains the lack of letters due to the destruction of roads, bridges, and parts of the railroad by Rebel troops. Additionally, he instructs his wife to relay a message to the parents of Thomas Gustin in regards to money being sent to them from their son. Ainslie also alerts her to him sending money as well in his next letter. 

Letter from Nelson Ainslie to his wife, Mary Ann, dated April 4, 1863, while encamped at Nashville, Tennessee. Ainslie discusses the Battle at Murfreesboro, dead and wounded soldiers, and how the Rebels have taken many Union soldiers prisoner.

Letter from Nelson Ainslie to his wife, Mary Ann, dated March 20, 1863 while encamped at Nashville, TN. In this letter, Ainslie instructs his wife to stop fretting over him because it makes her unwell. He also states he has yet to receive payment, but will inform her as soon as he does. 

Letter from Nelson Ainslie to his wife, Mary Ann, dated June 17, 1863, while encamped at Nashville, TN. Ainslie shares how a fellow solider, Orval A. Lumas (?), is to take a 13-day furlough due to the imminent death of his father. Ainslie also tells his wife that he is sending home 20 dollars. 

Letter from Nelson Ainslie to his wife, Mary Ann, dated March 30, 1863 while encamped at Nashville, TN. Ainslie writes about the weather, receiving letter from his brother-in-law James, the strictness of their new captain, and the mental/physical state of his fellow soliders.