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Abram M. Carhart was the oldest son of Sanford and Sophia Carhart, of Guilderland, in which town he was born August 19th, 1844. Like most boys, he spent his early days at the district and Sabbath schools. Nothing of interest to those out of his own family transpired until his fifteenth year, when, while a member of the "State Road Bible Class,'' and as the result of faithful instruction, he was led, during a season of gracious outpouring of the spirit, to give his heart to God. He united with the M. E. Church, of which he ever after remained a consistent member.
When the war first broke out, he desired to enlist, but the love of his mother kept him back. At last love yielded to duty, and, with his parents' consent, he enlisted October 18, 1862, in Company C, of the Tenth New York Militia, which was subsequently mustered into the United States service as the One Hundred and Seventy-seventh N. Y. Vols. Before the regiment left, however, he was attacked with fever, and was, by advice of the surgeon, left behind in the care of his family, to report when fit for duty. On Tuesday, December 16th, his regiment left Albany to join Banks' expedition. January 11th, it reached Bonnet Carre, La., where, in April, having fully recovered, he joined it. A Christian Association having been formed, he united himself with it on his arrival, maintaining, in camp, the same manly Christian deportment that characterized him at home.
On May 7th he started with the regiment, by way of the Amite river, to Baton Rouge; thence to Port Hudson, passing nearly through that memorable siege, shrinking from no danger or duty, and always at his post.
On the 7th of July, about 10 a. m., with two comrades, Jesse Dennison and James H. Beckwith, he went down to the Mississippi to bathe, Beckwith alone being able to swim. After remaining in the water a few minutes, Beckwith came out and commenced dressing, when his attention was arrested by a cry from Dennison. Turning round, he saw Abram's hands just above the water. He dashed in, but was too late. Abram had sunk to rise no more.
They left the river with sad hearts, and on their way were greeted with shouts of joy. News had come that Vicksburg had fallen. The next day the body drifted on shore, probably raised by the firing of salutes in honor of the capture of Vicksburg. Some of his company went down and buried him in his blanket on the shore, when, as they turned to go back, one shout, long and loud, was heard in camp. Port Hudson had fallen. Thus, on the eve of victory, was this faithful soldier of his country called to his rest, and while his comrades were shouting the cry of victory below, he was, as a soldier of Jesus, singing the song of victory on high. Several months after, his remains were disinterred, brought home, and now repose in the family lot in Prospect Hill Cemetery.
