[97] aid the volunteers of the Pittsfield company, which had been ordered to join the Eighth Regiment at Springfield and proceed to Washington for a service of three months; and to make suitable provision for the comfort of their families during their absence. At a legal town-meeting, held on the 22d of May, the action of the citizens' committee was approved; and the committee were authorized to continue in the performance of their duties. 1862. March 3d, The selectmen were directed to pay State aid to the families of volunteers according to the statutes of the Commonwealth, and two thousand dollars were appropriated for that purpose. August 2d, The selectmen were directed to recruit men to fill the quota of the town, and to pay a bounty of one hundred dollars to each volunteer who shall enlist for three years and be credited to Pittsfield. The following resolution was adopted:β
Resolved, That the forces of the United States should be adequate to suppress domestic insurrection and to repel foreign invasion; and that, in order to maintain the authority of this Government and the integrity of the Union, the militia of the United States ought at once to be placed upon a war footing, so that a million of soldiers, if necessary, in addition to the Federal armies now in the field, may be in readiness to respond immediately to any draft which may be made by the Government of the United States.August 25th, The bounty to each volunteer was raised to one hundred and fifty dollars. The treasurer was authorized to borrow money. 1863. No action appears to have been taken by the town in regard to bounties during this year. The selectmen continued to recruit men as before. 1864. March 7th, A vote of thanks was passed to the gentlemen who had made a record of the volunteers belonging to Pittsfield, and compensation was allowed βto the recruiting officers.β June 27th, The selectmen were authorized to pay a bounty of one hundred and twenty-five dollars to each volunteer enlisting to the credit of the town, and the treasurer was authorized to borrow money to pay the same. December 7th, The
