[291] 1861. The first legal town-meeting, to consider matters in relation to the war, was held on the 8th of May, at which the following resolutions were adopted:β
Resolved, That a committee of seven be appointed, who shall be authorized to borrow a sum of money in behalf of the town not exceeding two thousand dollars, to be expended by them as they shall deem expedient, on such soldiers from this town (and their families) as shall be mustered into service during the continuance of the present war. Resolved, That those who shall volunteer, and be mustered into the military service of the United States, shall be furnished with such an outfit as is necessary, and receive pay sufficient with what they receive from the Government to make twenty dollars a month; and that the town will provide liberally for their families.The committee of seven were directed to pay each volunteer, after enlistment and before muster in, such compensation for his time spent in drilling as they should deem expedient. 1862. July 23d, The selectmen were authorized to pay each volunteer who enlists for three years, and is mustered in to the credit of the town, a bounty of one hundred dollars, and to borrow money to pay the same. August 27th, The same bounty was directed to be paid to volunteers for nine months service. 1863. No action was taken by the town in regard to the war during this year. 1864. March 7th, Voted, to raise forty-two hundred dollars βto pay those volunteers who have not received any bounty from individuals, and to reimburse individuals who have paid bounties for enlistments.β The selectmen were directed to borrow money to pay a bounty of one hundred and twenty-five dollars to each volunteer who shall enlist for three years, and be credited to the town previous to March, 1865. A similar vote was passed on the 4th of June. Whately, according to a return made by the selectmen in 1866, furnished seventy-three men for the war, which cannot have been correct. The true number was doubtless about one hundred and ten, as Whately furnished its full quota on every call made by the President, and at the end of the war had a
