[156] passed referring to the distracted condition of the country, upholding the lawfully constituted authorities of the nation, applauding those young men of the town who had been the first to enlist as a military corps, and requesting the call of a town meeting to appropriate the sum of $10,000 in aid of the families of the soldiers from the town. The proceedings of this meeting are carefully entered in full on the town records. A townmeeting was accordingly held April 29, 1861, and the following preamble and resolutions were unanimously adopted:
‘Whereas our country is now rent with civil discord, and the Federal Government has called upon the loyal states of our Union for military aid to suppress rebellion against lawful authority, and to uphold the Constitution and the Laws, and whereas it is expedient in our municipal as well as in our personal relations as good citizens of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, to use all means in our power to strengthen the arm of Government to the end that Peace and the Supremacy of Law may be restored—Therefore, on motion, voted that this town do appropriate the sum of ten thousand dollars, or so much thereof as is necessary for the purpose expressed in Article Second;’ that is, for the maintenance and support of those families whose husbands, fathers or brothers, belonging to this town, have enlisted or may hereafter enlist in the military service of their country during the term of such service, the same to be expended under the direction of the selectmen.The following recommendations were also adopted:
That a bounty of ten dollars be paid to every soldier who shall be duly enrolled and accepted by the State. That every married man or any man having a family dependent on him for support, be paid the sum of twelve dollars per month, during the term of three months from the time of his enrolment and acceptance, unless sooner discharged. The balance of the company to be paid each the sum of six dollars per month, during the term of three months from the time of their enrolment and acceptance, unless sooner discharged. That all unexpended balance of subscription money remaining in the hands of the selectmen after equipping the company, be at the disposal of the selectmen of the towns of West Cambridge and Belmont, for the benefit of the soldiers or their families of said towns.A company of infantry numbering eighty-two men, under the command of Captain Albert S. Ingalls, was organized and equipped as the result of these measures, and awaited a call to service. At the end of several weeks it proceeded to Brooklyn, N. Y., in the expectation of joining a regiment, but being disappointed the company returned. Thirty-two members of the
