[532] 1861. The first legal town-meeting to act upon matters connected with the war was held on the 6th of May, at which the following resolutions, preceded by an excellent preamble, were offered by Hon. Samuel Warner, and adopted:—
Resolved, By the legal voters of the town of Wrentham, in town-meeting assembled, that the sum of ten thousand dollars be, and the same hereby is granted for the support, encouragement and relief of those of our fellow-townsmen who have gone, and of those who may hereafter go, into the service of the United States as soldiers, and of their families.The other resolutions provided: First, That the money thus appropriated be expended by the selectmen, ‘to be assisted, if necessary, by a committee of three, of whom the treasurer shall be one.’ Second, That each volunteer shall receive from the town while in active service an amount sufficient, with the government pay, to make his monthly pay twenty-five dollars; and the further sum of one dollar a week be paid to the wife and for each child under fifteen years of age, and one dollar a day for each day spent in drilling previous to being mustered into the United States service. Third, To provide suitable uniforms and all necessary equipments and clothing not furnished by the government to each citizen of Wrentham who shall enlist in the military service. Fourth, That the treasurer be authorized to borrow on the credit of the town such sums of money as shall be ordered by the selectmen, not exceeding ten thousand dollars. 1862. March—, The military committee made a report, which was accepted. July 21, The selectmen were authorized 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; also, that the treasurer be authorized to borrow money to pay said bounties; and the clergymen, selectmen, and all good citizens ‘are earnestly solicited to encourage and stimulate by public meetings and otherwise the prompt enlistment of the requisite number of volunteers from the town, that our fellow-citizens already in the service may be cheered and sustained by accession of numbers and strength, the rebellion crushed, and peace and prosperity soon smile upon our common country.’
