[128] The selectmen during the years 1861, 1862, 1863, 1864, and 1865, were John Kimball, Horace D. Howard, Joseph Barrows. The town-clerk and town-treasurer during the same period was John Kimball. 1861. Under the first call of the President for militia for three months service, April 14, 1861, Company B, of the Fourth Regiment Massachusetts Militia, which belonged to Easton, was ordered to join the Regiment; and with it immediately left the State for Fortress Monroe, at which place it arrived on the morning of the 20th of April, being the first loyal regiment which reached Virginia in the war. The first legal town-meeting, to act upon matters relating to the war, was held on the 29th of April, at which it was voted to pay to each inhabitant (except commissioned officers) of Easton, when called into the military service of the country, fifteen dollars as a gift, ‘and fifteen dollars a month for each month he shall remain in said service.’ A committee was appointed with authority to pay aid to the soldiers' families residing in Easton, ‘at their discretion.’ July 11th, The town voted to raise by taxation three thousand dollars, to defray any expense already incurred, and to fulfil any contract heretofore made with any of its inhabitants, who, as members of the Volunteer Militia, may have been, or may hereafter be, mustered into the service of the United States. Three thousand dollars were also appropriated for the payment of State aid to the soldiers' families, as provided by the law of the Commonwealth. 1862. July 19th, Voted, to pay to each volunteer who shall enlist for three years service, and be credited to the quota of the town, a bounty of one hundred dollars, ‘in addition to the pay and bounty of the Government.’ The following resolutions were read at the meeting, and adopted:—
Resolved, That the brilliant successes that have attended our efforts in crushing out this wicked rebellion inspire our hearts with gratitude, and nerve our hands to strike heavier blows for the triumph of Freedom. Resolved, That we heartily respond to the call of the President for volunteers, believing that an overwhelming force, now put into the
