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

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[486] hall. It was called to order by Hon. Amos A. Lawrence, and a prayer was offered by Rev. John L. Stone, D. D. The meeting was then permanently organized by the choice of the following gentlemen for officers: President, John Howe; vice-presidents, Augustus Aspinwall, James S. Amory, George B. Blake, Thomas Gray; secretaries, Thomas B. Hall, William V. Churchill. Mr. Howe made a patriotic speech on taking the chair. He had been a soldier in the war of 1812, and had received a Government land-warrant for his service, which he said he should give to the family living in Brookline who should be the first to lose a father or a husband in this war. A number of gentlemen addressed the meeting, among whom were William Aspinwall, Amos A. Lawrence, Captain Selfridge, U. S. N., and Moses B. Williams. On motion of Wilder Dwight, a committee of seven was appointed to ‘prepare a plan for the organization and drill of one or more companies in the town of Brookline.’¹ On motion of George B. Blake, a subscription list was opened to raise a military fund, which he headed with the sum of one thousand dollars. Another list was opened to raise money for the purchase of materials for the ladies, who had expressed a desire to prepare clothing for the soldiers. Mr. Panter offered them the use of his large hall to meet in. James A. Dupee was appointed treasurer, and the meeting adjourned to meet on the evening of the 22d at the same place. The hall was again crowded. The committee appointed at the previous meeting reported a series of resolutions, the substance of which was as follows: First, That a committee of ten be appointed to take charge of all military matters in the town; Second, That a list be made of the names of all persons in Brookline over seventeen years of age who wish to be drilled for military service, the same to be formed into companies as the military committee should direct; Third, That said committee be authorized to draw upon the military fund for such sums as a majority shall deem expedient; also to ‘attend immediately to the wants ’