[324] United States, and to properly provide for their families while absent in the service. 1862. At a meeting held on the 19th of July, it was voted to pay a bounty of one hundred dollars to each volunteer who shall enlist for three years and be credited to the quota of the town, and to raise seven thousand five hundred dollars to pay the same. A series of patriotic resolutions was read and adopted: first, congratulating the town for its liberality in furnishing money and men for the war; second, thanking the noble-hearted citizens of the town who had entered the military service. The third we give entire:—
Resolved, That the volunteers who have heretofore gone out from us, and who have stood so undaunted in the shock of battle, bravest among the brave, so as to receive as they richly deserved the especial thanks of their commanding officer, commend themselves to our affection and admiration for the exhibition in so remarkable a degree of those noble qualities which go to make up the true soldier; and while we deeply condole with the friends of the fallen, we send greeting to their living comrades in arms. Well done, brave men! your fellow-townsmen are proud of your fame, and grateful for your sacrifices.Another meeting was held on the 18th of August, when it was voted to pay a bounty of one hundred dollars to each volunteer for nine months service when credited to the quota of Westfield, and ten thousand dollars were appropriated to pay the same. 1863. There does not appear to have been any action taken by the town in regard to the war during this year, although recruiting volunteers and the payment of State aid to their families were continued. 1864. On the 4th of April it was voted to raise three thousand dollars to reimburse those citizens who had voluntarily contributed of their means to fill the quota of the town. Another meeting was held on the 6th of July, at which it was voted to pay a bounty of one hundred and twenty-five dollars to each volunteer who should enlist for three years and be credited to the quota; also fifty dollars to each of the veterans of Westfield who had re-enlisted in the service.
