William Schouler, A history of Massachusetts in the Civil War: Volume 1

Fourth. An act entitled an act in addition to the act for the maintenance of the Union and the Constitution, gave the Governor, with the advice of the Council, power to issue scrip or certificates in the name and in the behalf of the Commonwealth, for sums not exceeding, in the aggregate, seven millions of dollars.

Fifth. An act further in addition thereto authorized the Governor, with the advice of the Council, to pay from the Union Fund any of the troops of the Commonwealth, mustered into the service of the United States from the time that they reported themselves for service until they were mustered into the service of the United States.

Sixth. An act to provide for the discipline and instruction of a military force empowered the Governor, with the consent of the Council, to establish one or more camps in suitable places within the Commonwealth, for the instruction and discipline of a military force, not to exceed five regiments of infantry, and one battery of six pieces of artillery, at any one time; for which tents, camp-equipage, and other necessary articles, were to be furnished by the State.

The Governor was also empowered to rent land for such camp purposes.

No companies or regiments were to be placed in such camps until all the members should agree to be mustered into the United-States service, on such terms as the President should direct in his calls for volunteers. The entire formation, organization, drill, and discipline of these forces was to conform as near as possible to the regular army, and be subject to the rules and articles for governing militia in actual service.

Each camp was to be under the command of a suitable officer appointed by the Governor, and subordinate only to him. He had the power to recommend, and the Governor to commission, such subordinate camp officers as might be proper; the pay and rank of such officers to be fixed by the Governor. The authority of the officers commanding these camps might be extended by the Governor one-fourth of a mile beyond the limits of the camp; and certain rules and regulations were to be made for the admission of visitors.