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

The town-clerk and town-treasurer during all these years was Calvin D. Eaton.

1861. No action by the town in its corporate capacity in regard to the war appears to have been necessary during this year.

1862. July 21st, The selectmen were authorized to borrow money to pay State aid to the families of volunteers; also to pay a bounty of one hundred dollars to each volunteer to the number of ten, who shall enlist for three years and be credited to the quota of the town; and that the cost of ‘the same be assessed on the next annual assessment.’ August 29th, The selectmen were empowered ‘to procure all money necessary by borrowing or otherwise, and pay the sum of one hundred dollars to each person entitled thereto when mustered into service.’ October 20th, ‘Voted, to pay the five men now in camp at Greenfield, over and above our quota, one hundred dollars each.’

1863. No action by the town appears to have been necessary in regard to military matters during this year.

1864. June 1st, The selectmen were authorized ‘to borrow and pay one hundred and twenty-five dollars for seventeen volunteers, to fill the quotas of Pelham under the present and future calls for men.’

Pelham furnished seventy-eight men for the war, which was a surplus of five over and above all demands. None were commissioned officers. The whole amount of money appropriated and expended by the town on account of the war, exclusive of State aid, was seven thousand five hundred and one dollars ($7,501.00).

The amount of money raised and expended by the town for State aid to the families of soldiers during the war, and which was afterwards repaid by the Commonwealth, was as follows: In 1861, $163.86; in 1862, $766.53; in 1863, $1,192.66; in 1864, $1,426.27; in 1865, $676.64. Total amount, $4,125.96.