William Schouler, A history of Massachusetts in the Civil War: Volume 2

The town-clerk during all of these years was Joseph A. Batchelder. The town-treasurer during the same period was Henry A. Wilkins.

1861. The first legal town-meeting, to consider matters relating to the war, was held on the 2d of May, which was opened with prayer by Rev. Amos H. Johnson. It was then voted to raise one thousand dollars to be expended at the discretion of the selectmen for the assistance of the soldiers and their families belonging to the town; to be assessed upon the polls and estates of the town at such time as the selectmen may think best.

1862. July 22d, Voted, to pay a bounty of one hundred and twenty-five dollars to each volunteer who shall enlist for three years, and be credited to the quota of the town; to be paid when mustered in. The treasurer, under the direction of the selectmen, was authorized to borrow the money. James N. Merriam, John A. Batchelder, Andrew P. Averill, Farnum Stiles, and Stephen O. Crane were chosen to assist the selectmen in recruiting men. August 16th, The same bounty was directed to be paid to men who enlist for nine months service, and are credited to the town.

1863. November 3d, The selectmen were authorized with full power to settle the claim of the Commonwealth against the town, in regard to payment of bounties, as provided in section 9th of the act approved April 9, 1863.

1864. Several meetings were held during this year, at which measures were taken to obtain volunteers to fill the quota of the town, to raise money to pay bounties, and to refund money to individual citizens which they had advanced to encourage recruiting; and the same general course was pursued until the end of the war.

Middleton furnished one hundred and twenty men for the war, which was a surplus of ten over and above all demands. None were commissioned officers. The whole amount of money appropriated and expended by the town on account of the war,