‘ [323] of the soldiers from the beginning to the end of the war, and every few weeks sent to the army hospitals, for the sick and wounded, boxes and barrels of lint, bandages, clothing, and bed clothes.’
Westfield
Incorporated May 19, 1669. Population in 1860, 5,055; in 1865, 5,634. Valuation in 1860, $2,801,834; in 1865, $3,244,600. The selectmen in 1861 were Leroy C. Gillett, Hiram Hall, Seth Bush; in 1862, Leroy C. Gillett, Reuben Loomis, William Provin; in 1863, William Provin, Leroy C. Gillett, L. F. Thayer; in 1864 and 1865, L. F. Thayer, L. F. Root, William Provin. The town-clerk during all these years was P. H. Boise. The town-treasurer in 1861 and 1862 was L. R. Norton; in 1863, 1864, and 1865, Henry Loomis. 1861. The first legal town-meeting, to act upon matters relating to the war, was held on the 29th of April; at which the following resolutions were read and adopted:—Resolved, That it is incumbent on all citizens, by every consideration of interest and of duty to show their patriotic sentiments by word and act, in order to make known the opinions of the great body of the people, and bring the present unhappy contest to a speedy end. Resolved, That the blessings and the memories of our National Union are too great and too precious to be abandoned, its flag too grand to be tarnished; and we pledge our unalterable attachment to the nation, the Union, and the flag, and our unqualified support of their representatives and constituted authorities. Resolved, That we hail with delight the evidence, in the conduct of her government, her people, and her soldiers, that the Massachusetts of to-day is not inferior to the Massachusetts of her forefathers; and that no efforts, nor sacrifices of ours shall be wanting to maintain her in the place where she stood, as she stood long ago,—first in the Field.Ten thousand dollars were appropriated to purchase outfits and equipments for volunteers, and to pay such while drilling the same pay as is received by soldiers in the service of the
