[CIVIL WAR]. Ninth plate ruby ambrotype of a doubled-armed Confederate officer from the "dead letter" file tentatively identified as Isaac A. Ing, 31st Tennessee Infantry. Richmond, Virginia: n.p., [1860s].

Ninth plate hand-gilt and tinted ruby ambrotype. (Somewhat dark, light scuffing.) Housed in a full pressed paper case (hinge split). Paper label affixed to case with period ink inscription: "Miss Fannie Ray, Nashville, Tenn."

The subject wears a full uniform and kepi with buttons and belt buckle hand-gilt and his cheeks tinted pink. He holds up his rifle and a handgun is holstered in his belt.

[With:] ING, I[saac] A. Autograph letter signed ("I.A. Ing") to Fannie Ray. Columbus, KY, 1 December 1862. 4 pages, 8vo, written on printed handbill "The Girl I Left Behind Me," old creases, some separations.

The soldier writes to his cousin: "There is no prospect of a fight at this place soon there is about 20 thousand troops at this place and we are well fortified." He also shares that he has been sharing his skills among the troops: "Fannie I have got my hand in writing love letters. I write for several of the boys...Fannie I want to write a love letter for myself but I am afraid to...it for it is against my orders if I had the privilege I think that I would put up a right loving letter."

The letter and image come from the "dead letter" file are connected to Miss Fannie Ray of Nashville, TN. The subject of the ambrotype is a private but records indicate that Isaac A. Ing enlisted with the 31st Tennessee Infantry as a 2nd lieutenant with no indication of demotion. Although records, especially for Confederate regiments are sometimes incomplete. Regardless, the identification cannot be confirmed with all certainty.