The following letter was written by 32 year-old Asbrah Pike Howe (1831-1897) of Acworth, Sullivan county, New Hampshire. Asbra was the son of Ephraim Howe (1791-1865) and Charlotte Pike (1795-1884). He was married in 1853 to Diadema Hull (1825-1910) and had a two year-old son named Frank when he enlisted in Co. D, 4th New Hampshire Infantry.

Asbrah wrote the letter to his hometown friend, informing him of siege operations his regiment was involved in on Morris Island near Charleston, South Carolina. From the regimental history we learn that, “The spring of 1863 opened with an attack upon Morris Island, then followed the siege of Charleston. Gen. Q A. Gillmore commanded the expedition. The division in which the Fourth New Hampshire found itself was commanded by Gen. A. H. Terry. The Fourth brigaded with the Third New Hampshire, Sixth Connecticut, and a battalion of sharpshooters. This brigade was commanded by Col. Louis Bell of the Fourth. Two long sand-bar islands on the coast just south of Charleston harbor formed the basis of an attack upon Charleston. Folly Island was captured with very little resistance.

The Fourth New Hampshire worked twenty-one nights in building batteries to attack Morris Island, which is separated from Folly Island by a narrow creek. On the 10th of July the Fourth participated in an attack on Morris Island. The successive charges on Fort Wagner were repulsed by the enemy. On the 23d of July the Fourth dug the first trench and planted the first chevaux-de-frise, for the long siege of Fort Wagner. From the 23d of July to the 7th of September may be looked upon as one continued battle under the blazing sun of South Carolina—digging trenches, advancing lines, repelling attacks and doing severe out post duty. The morning of September 7, when the line was formed for the final charge, the news came that the fort was evacuted. The capture of Fort Wagner resulted in the immediate capture of the whole island.” 

Transcription

Camp Morris Island, South Carolina
4th [New Hampshire] Regiment, Co. D, USA
August 22, 1863

Friend Eddie,

I was somewhat surprised and pleased to receive a letter from you which came in due time under date of August 9th. I had almost begun to think that I had no friends in Acworth outside of my own family for I have received but very few letters since I left home except those which came from home.

The bombardment of the defenses around Charleston commenced the 17th of this month and still continues but we are strictly forbidden by a General Order from Gen. Gilmore to write any particulars in regard to the progress of events.

Suffice it to say, therefore, that the general features of the case are favorable to the Union cause. Some casualties occur daily but the loss of life on our side has not yet been very great. Last night one of the sergeants of this company, while on picket, was hit by the fragment of a shell thrown from Fort Johnson from the effect of which he died this morning. I suppose all eyes are turned anxiously in the direction of Charleston waiting to see it in the hands of the Federal army but you must wait patiently for it is no small thing to subdue a city so strongly fortified.

My health is middling good at present but I have not been able to do duty for about a month, but am on duty now. I must draw to a close by wishing these few lines will find you in good health and spirits and hoping to hear from you again soon. Convey my compliments to all inquiring friends. With much respect, I remain your sincere friend, — A. P. Howe