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

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[394] under the direction of a committee of the council. October 8th, The treasurer was directed to borrow, not exceeding six thousand dollars, for the payment of State aid to soldiers' families.

1862. March 3d, The treasurer was authorized to borrow fifteen thousand dollars for State aid to soldiers' families, to be expended under the supervision of the ‘joint-standing committee on finance.’ May 26th, Ten thousand dollars were appropriated ‘to provide for the wants, and supply the necessities, of the soldiers and their families, who shall enter the service of the United States’ under a recent call of the President. The city-clerk was directed to notify ‘the captains of the two companies of this city of the passage of this order;’ and the committee was authorized to make any arrangements they may deem proper for the departure of the companies to the seat of war. July 16th, Forty-two thousand dollars were appropriated to fill the quota of the city, amounting to four hundred and eight three-years men. August 29th, A special meeting of the council was called by the mayor, to consider matters relating to recruiting volunteers to fill the quotas of the city. He complained of the delay experienced in having the enlisted men mustered into service, which had been a great hindrance to recruiting. After the mayor's message was read, the council voted to pay each volunteer, who enlists for three years, a bounty of two hundred dollars, and to each nine-months volunteer a bounty of one hundred dollars when mustered in and credited to the quota of the city. The city-treasurer was authorized to borrow sixty thousand dollars to pay said bounties. October 8th, Voted, to appoint two persons as agents to remain near to the Federal army, and to render all the assistance in their power to the sick and wounded soldiers belonging to Charlestown, and to make detailed reports from time to time of their doings. It was also voted to increase the bounty to nine-months volunteers to two hundred dollars. October 13th, The mayor communicated to the city council that the quotas of Charlestown had been filled. October 27th, Twenty thousand dollars were appropriated ‘for the relief of soldiers and their families.’