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

April 28.—James L. Merrill, of Athol, volunteers himself and three ‘of my seven sons, with eight or ten other good, faithful, and temperate men, to go to the front, and act as scouts, to be armed with rifles and side-arms.’ John Waters, of West Sutton, writes, ‘I and several citizens of this town, being well acquainted with the use of the rifle, are anxious to form a company of sharpshooters.’ Captain Rand, First Regiment of Infantry, writes, ‘At a meeting of my company, held last evening, it was unanimously voted to adopt the following as a company name, “Schouler Volunteers,” with many thanks to you for your numerous kindnesses.’ This company was Company I, First Regiment Massachusetts Volunteers. Captain Rand was killed at Chancellorsville. Captain Peirson, of Byfield, ‘volunteers his whole command (Company B, First Battalion of Rifles) for the war.’

May 1.—Samuel Fowler, of Westfield, writes, ‘This town has appropriated ten thousand dollars for the equipment and outfit of a company of volunteers, and to drill them until called for. God save the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.’

Richard H. Dana, Jr., of Cambridge, writes,—

The topi I left with you yesterday is the result of fifty years experience of the British in the East. It is now universally used by the British military in India, China, and Indian Islands. I wore that topi in China, India, and Egypt some six months, including June, July, and August. It is the best thing possible. It gives air between the head and the outer case all round. This is the best safeguard against sunstroke or congestion. It is a mistake to wear any thing thin or light like straw. The desiderata are (1) a thick wall between the head and the sun's rays, and (2) air between the wall and the head. The weight on the head, when adjusted around the side, and not on the top, is of little consequence, as all men experienced in Eastern life and travel will tell you. The rim to this protects the eyes, and back of the head and neck. In the East, the back of the head and back of the neck are considered specially sensitive to the sun. The topi may be made either of felt (as mine is) or of pith. I prefer the felt.

The topi spoken of was a most excellent protection to the head from the heat of the sun, but was never adopted, either by the State or the Federal authorities.