USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > History of Worcester County, Massachusetts : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. II > Part 83
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The promptness with which you respond, as well as the eagerness you manifest, ia honorable to yourselves and gratifying to those at head- quartera.
I will make note of your application, but at present no answer can be given.
Yours truly, WM. SCHOULER, Adjt .- General.
This company was, however, mustered into service on the 12th of July following, and contained, we sup- pose, the first soldiers who went to the Cival War from Leominster.
The occasion of the departure of this company, June 28, 1861, was the first great day of the war for Leominster. The citizens presented Captain Rock- wood with a sword before the company left town, and the people were present in great numbers to bid the soldiers "God speed." The presentation speech was made by Rev. Eli Fay, of the Unitarian Church, and Mr. Ward M. Cotton, a former captain of this com- pany, was marshal of the day. Rev. Mr. Fay was full of patriotic enthusiasm and we give a few words of his speech, which must have been one of unusual power :
Captain Rockword :
Your fellow-citizens have thought it proper to make some expression of their appreciation of your willingness to leave the quiet scenes in which you have so long mingled and to serve your race, your coun- try and your God on the battle-field; and they have chosen me as their representative, to express, as words can but feebly express, the satisfaction we feel that you are willing to go and to lead a goodly number of our fellow-citizens to the field of mortal combat (if need be) in defense of the liberties of our country. . Sir: We have given you our men-cur young men-we have given them, under- standing the awful hazard of war, and I charge you, before God, to bring them back to us alive, or bring back to our distressed country, in order and liberty, the price of their blood. And as a slight testino- nial of the profound sympathy which the community feel for you in view of the trying and responsible duties of your post, they have re- quested me to present this sword to you. Sir : Minister of the gospel of peace as I am, yet, under the circumstances, I cheerfully comply with that request. . . .
Mr. Fay was a man of intense convictions upon the questions of the war, and no man in Leominster did more efficient service than he in helping on the good cause. In this connection it is interesting to note how the same events appeared to one of the sol- diers of this company. It helps us to get around on the other side of these things and see how little, after all, most men realized the severe work on hand. The record is made by the first sergeant of the company, and one whose name is now on the Leominster Sol- dier's Monument.
LEOMINSTER, June 28, 1861.
Agreeable to orders, the Company met at their Armory at 8 o'clock A.M., and, putting on the new Uniform, fitting some new members, af- ter a short Drill under the Captain, numbering seventy officers & pri- vatea, they were dismissed till 1114 A.3., when they met again, forming in live before the Old Armory, give it three rousing cheers before leav- ing it for the Seat of War. The Company theu marched into the Street, where a large delegation of the citizens of Leominster, under
command of Mr. Ward M. Cotton, formerly Captain of the Old Artil- lery Company, forming a Guard of Honor, escorted the Company to the Town Hall, where a collation was in readiness for the members of the Company and their friends.
After heing seated, Mr. Ward M. Cotton, in behalf of the citizens of Leominster, invited the Company to a social dinner, and as the soldiers needed no nrging, all fell to with a will, and an enormous mass of eat- ables disappeared in a wonderful short time.
At 121/2 o'clock P.M. order was given to "fall in," and, escorted by the guard of honor, the Company marched through the principal streets to the Depot on the Fitchburg and Worcester Railroad, where a halt was made. The laat GOOD-BY and " God bless you " were whispered to the soldiers by rosy lips and a last hearty grip between friends.
Recorded by H. P. JORGENSEN, 1st Sergeant of Company "A "
The experience of this day was not peculiar to Le- ominster ; but was part of the general history of the times. Most of the towns started off their first sol- diers with music, feasting and speaking. It seems well, even at this writing, that it was so ; for the fear- ful work of the future was thus hidden for a moment, and the hearts of men burned with patriotic zeal. If the suffering and death had been seen from the be- ginning, it might not have been as easy to leave home and friends for the safety of the country.
Below, the names of the original members of Com- pany A are given. The roll is of interest because it contains the first who enlisted from Leominster, and it is given in full because all the commissioned officers and so many of the privates were from this town.
The muster-roll of Company A, Fifteenth Massa- chusetts Volunteers, mustered into service of the United States July 12, 1861, by Captain Marshall, United States Army, and certified by Captain Rock - wood :
Captain George W. Rockwood, First Lieutenant Leonard Wood, Second Lieutenant Frank W. Polly, First Sergeant HIans P. Jorgenson, Second Sergeant Reuben MI. Holman, Third Sergeant Everett A. Brown, Fourth Sergeant Charles H. Stevens, Fifth Sergeant Wm. E. Wheelock, Henry Joy, First Corporal Charlea A. Lamb, Second Corporal Aodrew W. Cow- drey, Third Corporal Fred L. Hildrith, Fourth Corporal Walace W. Derby, Fifth Corporal John M. Robbins, Sixth Corporal S. F. Maynard, Drummer Horatio Willard, Drummer G. F. Moore, Wagoner Frank E. Colburn, Ethan Allen, J. F. Bartlett, Eugene A. Bennett, Frank E. Benton, J. S. Brown, Robert Bowen, G. W. Brown, O. J. Bugbee, Charles T. Brown, Henry Burnett, Sanford Botham, E. E. Betherly, J. S. Caritoo, Lucien A. Cook, C. M. Coolidge, George D. Critchet, John H. Craine, G. M. Cook, Alexander Cooper, George B. Damon, Walder W. Davis, T. H. Davidson, Daniel Dunn, J. W. Farren, Suniner M. Frost, C. II. Fletcher, Franklin Gardner, Luther S. Hapgood, J. H. Hapgood, J. M. Howe, F. E. Hatch, Thomaa A. Joslio, Angustns Johnson, Charles Joy, J. W. Kingsbury, J. J. Kendall, Edward Lord, J. H. Lalor, Peter McGer, Fordyce May, Wml. Maynard, 11. A. Moore, C. G. Moore, Charles F. May, J. W. Nurse, Charles O. Nichols, Moses L. Nutting, G. F. New- tou, A. A. Pelton, Asepoh Rice, Edward B. Robbins, Andrew J. Rugg, Jacob Rugg, Thomas B. Ross, J. Gould Snow, S. S. Stocking, Wm. H. Savage, J. Sullivan, Henry T. Tayor, Jobn Tripp, Charles B. Woods, .Joseph Willard, G. E. Wilder, E. L. Wilder, Cornelius W. Wilder, E. K. Wilder, E. Wilson, Wm. B. Whitney, Charles A. Wheelock, O. B. Wil- liama, G. H. Watson, George Wood.
Leominster Soldiers in the Civil War .- Of course many of the men credited to Leominster under the different calls, were citizens of other towns at the time of enlistment. These are included in the four hundred and four above-named. Nor is it supposed that the list of Leominster men is complete. Perhaps it
1241
LEOMINSTER.
would not now be possible to obtain all the names. At the time it would have been comparatively easy to trace the history of each man who enlisted from Leo- minster and to give his full war record. The favora- ble moment was not improved and now the informa- tion has mostly gone with the actors themselves. The list here given, therefore, does not claim to be com- plete. Such as it is, it will be found interesting :
John B. Allen, Co. C, 53d Regt .; Charles Ausburo, Co. C, 53d Regt. ; Geo. A. Atkenson, Co. A, 13th Regt .; W. P. Andrew, 2d Regt. H. Art. ; Frank O. Atherton, Co. H, 24th Regt. Art. ; James Anderson, Co. II, 57th Regt .; Daniel Butterfield, Co. C, 53d Regt .; Mark K. Brown, Co. C, 53d Regt. ; George W. Bixby, Co. C, 53d Regt. ; George A. Bishop, Co. C, 53d Regt. ; Frank C. Bentoo, Co. A, 15th Regt .; Asa Everett Brown, Co. A, 15th Regt. ; Robert Brown, Co. A, 15th Regt. ; Charles T. Browu, Co. A, 15th Regt. ; Owen H. Buck, 1st Bat. Inf .; F. A. P. Batchelder, 3d R. 1. H. Art. ; Luke W. Brooks, Co. A, 36th Regt. ; Abi- dan Burdett, Co. K, 4th Cav. ; James Burt, Itb Bat .; Frank P. Bleir, Co. E, 57th Regt. ; Thomas E. Billings, 2d Regt. ; Wm. A. Burrage, Co. H, 33d Regt .; Ebenezer F. Cozzens, Co. C, 53d Regt., Nov. 6, 1862 ; Albert F. Creed, Co. H, 21et Regt., Aug. 22, 1801 ; Joseph F. Chaffin, 23d Regt. Band, Oct. 14, 1861 ; C. Adolphus Chase, 1st Regt. Band, June 1, 1861 ; Andrew W. Cowdrey, Co. A, 15th Regt., July 12, 1861 ; Frank E. Colburn, Co. A, 15th Regt., July 12, 1861 ; John H. Crain, Co. A, 15th Regt., July 12, 1861 ; Charles A. Colburo, Co. A, 15tb Regt,, Nov. 26, 1861 ; Charles G. Crosby, Co. A, 15th Regt., Aug. 14, 1862; James Coul- ter, Co. H, 29tb Regt., Dec. 19, 1861; Solon II. Carter, Co. A, 36th Regt. Aug. 14, 1862; Charles C. Capette, Co. B, 26th Regt., Mar, 7, 1864 ; Thomas Collins, Co. E, 57th Regt., June 25, 1864 ; George W. Channell, 2d Cav., Feb. 24, 1865 ; Amos H. Cook, 2d Cav., Feb. 24, 1865; John B. Davie, Co. C, 53d Regt., Nov. 8, 1862; George R. Danioo, Co. G., 57th Regt., Mar. 10, 1864 ; Worcester F. Dodge, Ist Regt. Baod, June 1, 1861 ; Daniel Duna, Co. A, 15th liegt., July 12, 1861 ; Alden Derby, Co. A, 15th Regt., Aug. 9, 1862 ; Charles H. Derby, Co. A, 36th Regt., Ang. 4, 1862; Alfred Danforth, Co. R, 2d HI. Art., Dec. 22, 1863 ; George W. Divoll, 7th Rat., Jan. 5, 1864; William Daily, Co. B, 19th Regt., Jan 16, 1865 ; E. W. Dotan, Co. C, 23d Regt., Jan. 13, 1865 ; Josiah S Davis, Co. E, 33d Regt., - - , 1865; William A. Easier, Co. C, 53d Regt., Nov. 6, 1862 ; Joseph G. Eaton, Ist Regt. Baud ; Ives B. Foster, Co. C, 53d Regt., Nov. 6, 1862 ; Jobn Ferguson, Co. C, 53d Regt., Nov. 6, 1862 ; Charlee E. Fisher, Co. C, 53d Regt., Nov. 6, 1862 ; Eleaser T. Flint, Co. C, 53d Regt., Nov. 6, 1862; John Foster, Co. F, 26th Regt , Nov. 5, 1861 ; Sumner M. Frost, Co. H. 24th Art., Aug. 22, 1864 ; SteveDe Fosdick, block- ade ship " Connecticut," Feb. 21, 1865 ; J. D. Fairbanks, Co. B, 26th Regt. ; James Gilchrest, Jr., Co. C, 53d Regt., Nov. 6, 1862 ; John A. Gilchrest, Co. F, 25th Regt .; Jerome S. Gates, Co. C, 53d Regt., Nov. 6, 1802 ; Edward P. Gee, Co. A, 15th Regt., March 26, 1864 ; Charles E. Gould, 21st Regt., Aug. 23, 1861 ; Amos N. Gleason, 21st Regt, July 30, 1861; Harris W. George, Co. H, 23d Regt., Sept. 19, 1861; Le Roy Gallnp, Co. A, 36th Regt., Ang. 9, 1802 ; George P. Gibson, Co. A, 30th Regt., Aug. 14, 1862; Leouard Goodrech, Co. A, 36th Regt., Aug. 9, 1802; Frank George, Co. D, 3d Cav., Feb. 15, 1854; Wm. C. Gowell, Co. A, 1st Bat., Feb. 1, 1865 ; Warren E. Gilchrest, 1st Band ; Edmund Hardy, Co. C, 53d Regt., Nov. 6, 1862; George T. Holt, Co. I, 21st Regt., Aug. 23, 1861 ; Wm. Holmes, Co. E, Ist Regt., June 18, 1861 ; Ren_ ben M. Ilolmao, Co. A, 15th Regt., July 12, 1861 ; George A. Hough- ton, Co. A, 21st Regt., July 30, 1861; Luther M. Hapgood, Co. A, 15th Regt., Dec. 14, 1861; Wm. S. Hale, Co. A, 15th Regt., Aug. 9, 1862; Cyrus Hadley, Co. G, 57th Regt., March 10, 1864 ; Robert Hosea, Co. F, 59th Regt., Feb. 20, 1864 ; Luther S. Hapgood, 26th H. Art., Aug. 18, 1864; Henry S. Harris, Co. H. 29th Art., Aug. 29, 1864 ; George H. Hardy, Co. D, 21st Regt., Jan. 26, 1804 ; Josiah Houghton, Co. I, 21st Regt. ; R. T. Hays, 14th Bat. , March 6, 1865; Robert Hammon, Co. I, CIst Regt., Jan. 21, 1865; A. E. Houghton, 3d Bri- gade Band, Feb. 23, 1865 ; Albert Houghton, Co. D, 2d Regt. ; Au- gustine Horton, Co. H, 1st T.egt .; Adelbert Johnson, Co. C, 53d Regt., Nov. 6, 1862; Wm. H. Johnson, Co. Il, 2let Regt., Aug. 22, 1861 ; George N. Jennings, Co. M, 3d H. Art., Aug. 29, 1864 ; Augustus Johnson, Co. A, 15th Regt. ; Charles Joy, Co. A, 15th Regt. ; Wm. 11. F. Kelley, Co. C, 53d Regt., Nov. 6, 1862 ; Patrick Kenefie, Co. C, 53d Regt., Nov. 6,, 1862 ; Michael Kenefie, Co. E, Washington Ter. Vol. ; Richard King, 30th Regt., Jan. 5, 1865; Russell B. Lewis, Co. C, 53d Regt., Nov. 6, 1862 ; James M. Lewis, Co. E, 53d Regt., Nov. 6, 1862; Patrick J. Leahy, Jr., Co. E, 25th Regt., Oct. 7, 1861 ;
James Laughren, let Band, Sept. 7, 1861 (re-enl. Aug. 18, 26th II. A.) ; Francis W. Lewis, Band, 1st Regt., May 25, 1861 (re-enl. Nov. 24, 1863, Corps d'Afrique) ; Cyrus Lock, 7th Battery, January 5, 1864 ; John Lyons, Company E, 25th Regiment, September 20, 1861 ; Adam B. Lang, Veterao Reserve Corps, February 15, 1865; Wm. F. McMeekin, Co. C, 53d Regt., November 6, 1862 ; Loren L. Moore, Ist Regt. Band, June 1, 18G1 ; Gilmao F. Moore, Co. A, 15th Regt., July 12, 1861 ; William Maynard, Co. A, 15th Regt., July 12, 1861 ; Sylvander F. Maynard, Co. A, 15th Regt., July 12, 1861; Stilman A. Meads, Co. A, 36th Regt., Ang. 9, 1862; Louis W. Morgan, Co. A, 3Cth Regt., Ang. 4, 1862; James A. Marshall, Co. A, 36th Regt., 1862 ; James McDonough, 7th Bat., Jao. 5, 1864; Patrick McAdams, Co. H, 61st Regt., Jan. 11, 1865 ; Addison D. Maynard, Co. C, 53d Regt. ; Harry Morse, Co. C, 53d Regt. ; Moses N. Nutting. Co. A, 15th Regt., July 12, 1861 ; Jobn W. Nurse, Co. A, 15th Regt., July 12, 1861 ; A. J. Nichols, Co. H., 26ith Art., Ang. 18, 1864; Benjamin Owen, Co. D, 21st Regt., July 30, 1861 ; Andrew B. Osboro, Co. A, 36th Regt., Aug. 6, 1862; Samuel Osboro, Co. A, 36th Regt., Aug. 4, 1862 ; Alanson K. Owen, 7th Rat., Jan. 5, 1864; Edwin W. Palmer, Co. C, 53d Regt., Nov. G, 1862 (re-enl. 7th Bat., Jan. 5, 1864) ; Selden Page, cap. 11th Regt., June 13, 1861 (re-enl. Co. H. 24th Art., Aug. 20, 1864) ; George Pamenter, Co. I, 22d Regt .; Sept. 26, 18G1; Charles D. Page, Co. A, 36th Regt., Ang 9, 1862; Dwight B. Potter, Co. A, 36th Regt., Aug. 9, 1862 ; Ebenezer Patch, Co. A, 36th Regt., Ang. 27, 1862; Josiah Patch, Jr., Co. [, 19th Regt. ; Alvah J. Parker, Co. G, 2d Regt. ; George A. Pierce, 50th Eng. Corps, N. Y. ; Charles Q. Pierce, Co. C, 53d Regt. ; George L. Rice, Co. C, 53d Regt., Nov. 10, 1862; George W. Bockwood, Co. A, 15th Regt., July 12, 1861 ; Edward B. Rollins, Co. A, 15th liegt., July 12, 1861 ; Jacob Rugg, Co. A, 15th Regt., July 12, 18til ; John D. Robenson, Co. A, 32d Regt., Nov. 28, 1861 ; Charles Richards, 2d H. Art., Sept. 17, 1864; John Roche, 19th Regt., Jan. 21, 1865; James M. Robbins, 24th Co., H. Art., Aug. 18, 1864 : {'harles O. Roach, 31st Regt .; Cornelins Sullivan, Co. C, 53d Regt., Nov. 6, 1802; Charles H. Stev- eos, Co. A, 15th Regt., July 12, 18G1 ; Saburd S. Stocking, Co. A, 15th Regt., July 12, 1861 ; Timothy Sullivan, Co. H, 29th Regt, Dec. 19, 1861 ; John Schonw, Co. H, 29th Regt., Nov. 23, 18ti1 ; Robert Steveos, Co. A, 36th Regt., Aug. 14, 1862; Charles W. Stearos, Co. A, 36th Regt., Aug. 9, 1862; John T. Sargent, Jr., Eng. Corps ; Joel A. Stratton, Co. C, 531 Regt., Nov. 6, 1862 ; John D. Shedd, Co. 1, 32d Regt .; Fosdic Stevens, blockade ship " Connecticut ; " George M. Tenney, Co. C, 53d Regt., Nov. 6, 1862 ; Albert M. Thomas, Co. E, 21st Regt., July 30, 1861 ; Stephen A. Tisdale, Ist Regt. Rand, Ang. 1, 1801 ; George E. Tis- dale, Ist Regt. Band, Juge I, 1861; Andrew Tisdale, let Regt. Baod, June 1, 1861 (re-enl. April 11, 1863, 3d Brig. Band) ; Henry T. Taylor, 15th liegt., Co. A, July 12, 1861 ; Charles H. Taylor, Co. A, 15th Regt., July 12, 1801 ; Levi Tower, 24th II. A., Ang. 25, 1864 ; Michael Thomp- son, 2d 1I. A., Sept. 3, 1864 ; George S. Tannett, 1st Cav., Jau. 3, 1865 ; John Tisdale, 1st Regt. Band, June 1, 1861 ; George Thompson, Co. C, 53d Regt .; Patrick Walsh, Co. C, 53d Regt., Nov. 6, 1862; C'asseus A. Woodworth, Co. C, 53d Regt., Nov. 6, 1862 ; Luke A. Wilder, Ist Regt. Band, June 14, 1861 ; Hibbard P. Wheeler, 1st Regt. Band, June I, 1861; George F. Wheelock, 21st legt., Aug. 23, 1861; William E. Wheclock, 15th Regt., July 12, 1861 ; Horatio Willard, 15th Regt., July 12, 1861 ; Edward Wilson, 15th Regt., July 12, 1861 ; Leonard Wood, 15th Regt., July 12, 1861 ; William Whitney, 15th Regt., Aug. 9. 1862 (died Nov. 17, 1862) ; William B. Witney, 24th II. A., Aug. 22, 1864 ; Charles N. Wood, 32d Regt., Sept. 3, 1SC3; John D. Wyer, 32d Regt., Nov. 28, 1861 ; Hiram L. Wheeler, 32d Regt., Jan. 4, 1864.
Private Action .- Before considering what action the town, as a town, took to enconrage enlistment, the work of private citizens in this direction may well find place. In many, if not most of the towns in the State, considerable sums of money were raised by subscription for the purposes of a recruiting fund. It appears from the following list that Leominster was not behind in this regard. As this paper is the only one found and bears the date of 1864, it is very likely a summary of several subscriptions:
RECRUITING FUND.
1861.
July 27. Il. W. Knowls .$360
C. C. Boyden .. 138 |
1864.
W. Il. Heustie
175
A. Richardson.
1242
HISTORY OF WORCESTER COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
1864.
1861.
Aug. 17. J. P. Lockey 435
W. F. Howe 303 Wm. H. Henstis 35 Joseph P. Lockey 65 George E. T'isdule. 180 L. W. Porter. 205 George L. Carter. 315 Albert Pierce. 272
Aug. 19. Albert Pierce. 100
Ang. 20. E. R. Young. 45
W. D. Somers. 85
Aug. 22. A. Richardson 228
J. II. Goodale, 15
Aug. 23. D. B. Look. 476
Ang. 25. George E. Tisdale, 100
Aug. 2. A. Richardson 125
Ang. 6. Emery Tilton. 792
C. C. Boyden.
15
Geo. E. Tisdale 80
Sept. 17. A. Richardson
Sept. 21. Albert Pierce. 45
F. A. Whitney 60
Aug. 9. F. A. Whitney 170
Aug. 15. George E. Tisdale ... 40
Aug. 16. II. W. Knowle $555 A. Richardson 140
George Lawrence .. 255
Town Action .- This brings the record naturally to the corporate action of the town, as the first vote re- lates to a private subscription. The summary of votes here given makes the action and the spirit of the town as clear as it can be made in the space allowed to this sketch :
At a town-meeting held May 6, 1861, a letter to the selectman from Johnson C. Burrage, Alvah A. Burrage, Charles C. Burrage (three noble brothers), sonsof Leominster, residing in Boston, enclosing the sum of seven hundred dollars, afterward increased to $810, was read, and was as follows : " We desire to have the money appropriated to purchase of Revolvers, Pistols, to be used by the Patriotic Citizens composing Com- pany ' A' of the 9th Regt., Light Infantry, in defense of the Govern- ment and Liberties of our Country." Feeling assured that our dear old native town will ever do her part in sustaining and defending the free institutions transmitted to us by our fathers, we are, with great respect,
(Signed) JOHNSON C. BURRAGE, etc.
The following was unanimously adopted :
"Resolred, That the generous and timely gift of our esteemed friends, Messrs. Burrage, of Boston, excites in us feelings of lively gratitude ; and responding, as we do, most heartily to the patrictic sentiments con- tained in the letter, covering the gift, we assure them that the love of freedom and of right, so nobly vindicated by the Citizens of their na- tive Town in 1776, is still maintained and cherished here in 1861."
At the same meeting the treasurer was authorized to borrow five thou- sand dollars and the same appropriated for the relief of the families of such citizens of the town as may be called into the military service of the United States the present year ; and to refund snch sums of money as shall have been already advanced for the proper outfit of such citi- zens as may be called into such service, and a committee of ten was chosen, who, with the selectmen, were charged with the duty of admin- istering to the relief of soldiers' families.
It was also " voted to instruct the Town Clerk to petition the Leg- islature to legalize and confirm the action of the Town as above stated."
At a town-meeting held Sept. 2, 1861, the selectmen were instructed to furnish aid to soldiers' families contemplated in Chap. 222 of the laws of 1861.
July 29, 1862, the town voted to pay a bounty of $110 for thal pur- pose.
Sept. 2, 1862, the town voted to pay $100 bounty to each volunteer to fill the town's quota under the President's call, Anguat 4, 1862, and the treasurer was authorized to borrow $6000 for that purpose.
A larger number than was called for from this town having volun- teered, at the town-meeting, held Nov. 4, 1862, it was voted to pay said additional number the bounty of $100 each.
August 29, 1863, the town voted to pay into the treasury of the State its proportion of money for the reimbursement of bounties, as provided in Chap. 218 of the laws of 1863, and authorize their treasurer to borrow the sutn required.
At the same meeting the town unthorized their treasurer to borrow $3000 and the selectmen were instructed to apply the same for the relief of soldiers' families.
Dec. 10, 1863, the sun of $600 was appropriated and a committee chosen to aid the local recruiting officer in obtaining volunteers.
Also the sum of $12 per month was voted as special relief to the fam- ily of Michael Kennepeck, as long as he remains in the United States' service.
The sum of $500 was appropriated to be expended at the discretion of the selectmen for relief of soldiers' families in addition to the aid already provided for by the votes of the town.
March 7, 1864, the town appropriated $8000 in aid and for the relief ot soldiers' familiea.
At a town-meeting, April 4, 1864, the following resolves were adopted : " Resolved, That the town raise and appropriate the sun 86875, that the same be assessed at the next annual assessment, and that the selectmen draw their orders on the treasurer for the sum of $125 for each and every volunteer furnished by the town, who lina not already received that amount from a fund contributed by the citizens of the town under a call of the President dated Oct. 17, 1863, and February 1, 1864.
" Also that the selectmen be instructed to reimburse from the treas- urer such suis of money as citizens of the town have contributed for the purpose of raising volunteers since Feb. 11, 1864, according to an act passed March 15, 1864.
" Resolved, That the town raise and appropriate the suni of $4000, to lie paid as bonnties to volunteers to fill the quota of Leominster, under the call of the President, dated March 4, 1864.
" Resolved, That the towy offer a bounty of $125 to each citizen of the town now in service of the United States, who may re-enlist as a part of its quota."
July 27, 1864, the treasurer was authorized to borrow $7250, and the selectmen were authorized to expend the same in procuring this town's proportion of soldiers under the call of July 18, 1864, by the payment of bonnties to volunteers.
Jan. 2, 1865, the town voted to raise the sum of $3375 by loan io anti- cipation of receipts, and the selectmen were anthorized to expend said amount in procuring volunteers to fill the quota of the town under the call of Dec. 19, 1864, and at an adjonrned meeting, held Feb. 13, 1865, the sum of $2750 was added to the amount voted January 2d, for the pur- pose of procuring volunteers.
Town officers for 1861 : Selectmen, M. D. Haws ; Alanson Richardson, John H. Lockey; Town Treasurer, Porter Piper; Town Clerk, J. C. Allen.
From the record given above it appears that the town raised over forty thousand dollars in specific sums, and that aid and bounty was often voted where it is not easy to ascertain the exact amount. Leo- minster, therefore, dealt most liberally with all the questions growing out of the war.
Soldiers' Aid Society .- In addition to the sums raised by the town and by individuals, this society did most efficient service. It was organized October 7, 1861. The object, as expressed in the constitution, was "To furnish articles for the relief and comfort of the soldiers." The first officers were: President, Mrs. J. W. Backus; Vice-President, Miss H. Nichols ; Secretary, Mrs. E. Y. White; Treasurer, Mrs. J. W. Jorden ; Directors, Miss Eudocia Hatch, Mrs. Emer- son Prescott, Mrs. Solon Carter, Miss Carrie Colburn, Mrs. M. Richardson, Mrs. William Morse, Mrs. Lib- erty Kendall, Mrs. Eli Fay.
The following is an abstract of the work of this society from its organization until June 27, 1863, at which time a large amount of hospital supplies were forwarded :
Summary of Articles sent for the First Two Years .- 4 barrels dried apples, 2 barrels crackers from School Ward No. 6, 12 boxes filled with wine, vinegar, jel- lies and preserves for the sick; the following is a list of articles : 720 shirts, 238 sheets, 296 pillow- cases, 627 pairs socks, 399 pairs drawers, 153 pairs
July 20. Albert Richardson ... 130
George II. Ilale 30 Ang. 1. A. L. Burdett, Dist.
No. 5 260
F. A. Whitney 400
Aug 31. C. C. Royden 60
Sept. 15. G. F. Morse. 50
A. Richardson 105
$7220
July 28. A. Richardson. 258
1243
LEOMINSTER.
mittens, 68 pillow ticks, 38 bed-quilts, 499 towels, 14 blankets, 40 cushions, 7 fans, 6 eye-shades and 15 flannel gowns.
The material sent during the last years was in about the same proportion and amount. There were one hundred and fifty-eight women connected with this society ; they held one hundred and fifteen pub- lic meetings during the war for work, besides prepar- ing many entertainments for the purpose of raising funds to carry on their enterprise. It is not now possible to give any estimate of the value of the material contributed. It must have been several thousand dollars, to say nothing of that valne which all service of this kind possesses, and which cannot be estimated in dollars.
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