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

The town-clerk and town-treasurer during all of these years was Charles S. Foster.

1861. The first town-meeting, to consider matters in relation to the war, was held May 21st, at which it was voted to appropriate five hundred dollars to ‘the Massachusetts Soldiers' Aid Fund.’ A committee of three was appointed ‘to see that the families of all volunteers were comfortably provided for;’ and the treasurer was authorized to borrow money when necessary for the above purposes.

1862. July 21st, A bounty of one hundred and fifty dollars was voted ‘to each volunteer who shall enlist for three years, and be credited to the quota of the town, and fifty dollars additional to those who shall enlist within forty-eight hours.’ A committee was elected to help the selectmen in recruiting volunteers. August 25th, Voted to pay a bounty of one hundred dollars to volunteers enlisting to the credit of the town in the nine months service, and to pay eleven dollars a month to each of their families while in the service.

1863. December 1st, The treasurer was authorized to borrow eleven hundred dollars for recruiting purposes, ‘if it shall be needed.’

1864. At the annual March meeting it was voted that all the business of recruiting ‘be left with the selectmen, and that they be authorized to use any money they may find in the treasury for that purpose.’ March 21st, Voted to raise two thousand dollars for recruiting purposes, ‘if legal.’ June 15th, Voted, 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 quota of the town; and the treasurer was authorized to borrow the money ‘when needed.’

1865. At the annual March meeting, ‘Voted, to raise three thousand dollars (if needed) for recruiting purposes.’

Brewster furnished one hundred and forty-one men for the war, which was a surplus of seventeen over and above all demands.