Nelson Hardie was a boat-hand born in Richmond, Virginia. He enlisted at the age of 22, on January 4, 1864 in Detroit and was mustered in on January 14th. His enlistment papers were signed by mark rather than a signature, so it is likely he was illiterate. Documentation in his Military Service Records show him as free prior to April 19, 1861. He was a Private in Company A of the 102nd U.S.C.T.

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In September and October of 1864, he was absent in confinement, charged with 'Absence without Leave', 'Robbery', and 'Threatening to Kill.’ He pled guilty only to the first charge of being absent without leave. The crime allegedly took place on October 19, 1864. His court proceeding occurred on October 24 and 25, 1864. His court martial took place in Beaufort on November 1864. After being found guilty, Hardie was sentenced to pay a fine of $10.00, taken from his monthly pay.

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On August 30, 1865, Private Hardie was admitted to a Post Hospital at Orangeburg, South Carolina and was returned to duty on September 1st. By the end of September, however, Hardie was once again hospitalized. Hardie was admitted to the Post Hospital at Charleston on September 29th and then transferred, via the Cosmopolitan, a Hospital Steamer to a General Hospital at Hilton Head, South Carolina. While there, he is diagnosed as having a debility from Miasma Disease. This disease is an outdated medical term for when poisonous vapors were thought to infect the air.

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Hardie returned to duty on October 14, 1865 and was then mustered out of the service. Unfortunately, no record of him after his service has been located. It may be that he died shortly after discharge.