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

The town-clerk during all the years of the war was Henry Richardson. The town-treasurer during the same period was Jesse Swain.

1861. The first legal town-meeting, to act upon matters relating to the war, was held on the 6th of May, at which it was voted ‘to pay each man belonging to Dracut who has gone, or may go, to assist the Government of the United States’ in the maintenance of the Union, ten dollars a month while in the military service, to be paid either to the soldier himself or to his family or relatives. One thousand dollars were appropriated to pay the same, and two thousand dollars ‘to raise and equip a military company in Dracut.’ November 5th, The action of the selectmen in paying Edward Coburn thirty dollars was approved, he having been wounded in the march of the Sixth Regiment through Baltimore on the 19th of April.

1862. March 3d, The treasurer was authorized to borrow whatever amount of money was necessary for the payment of State aid to the families of volunteers. July 21st, The selectmen were authorized to pay a bounty of one hundred and twenty-five dollars to each volunteer who shall enlist for three years service and be credited to the quota of the town. August 25th, A bounty of one hundred dollars was authorized to be paid to each volunteer for nine months service.

1863. February 20th, The treasurer was authorized to borrow money for the payment of State aid during the year to the families of soldiers.

1864. July 11th, The treasurer was directed to borrow, not exceeding four thousand dollars—the rate of interest not to exceed six per cent—for the payment of bounties to volunteers enlisting to the credit of the town upon any call of the President for men, ‘after the 1st of March, 1864, and before the 1st of March, 1865,’ each volunteer to receive one hundred and twenty-five dollars: August 9th, It was voted to pay the bounty in gold, and the treasurer was authorized to borrow