USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Medway > The military history of Medway, Mass. 1745-1885 > Part 3
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JAMES METCALF, Lt. Coll.
N. B. You Are Requested to furnish I Person that has had a Commission to serve As A Lieut. Otherwise You Are Required to Detach Eleven Privates."
" To the Selectmen in the Town of Medway.
GENTLEMEN : You are Hereby Directed to Detach from the East Company in the Town of Medway two Privit Souldier armed and equipt according to Law to Guard the Sea Coast in this or the Neighboring States as the Council or General Court may thereafter order to Do Duty till the first Day of January Next unless sooner Dis- charged. Said men to hold themselves Ready to march at the shortest Notice & to Receive such pay as the General Court shall thereafter order. You are also Required Immediately to Compleat your Quota of men for ye six months service at Rhode Island, if not already Done. And make Return of the Names of the men so Detached to my self by the fifteenth Day of this Instant. Given under my Hand and Seal at Wrentham this Eleventh Day of September A. D. 1778. From Gentlemen,
yr Humble Servant
BENJN HAWES Coll."
" You are ordered to detach from your Company one Sergt one Corpland nine Private Soldiers and see that Said men are armed and Equipt according to law and parade at the house of mr Headen in walpole on monday next at Eight o'clock in the morning in order to march to Boston and Continue in Service till the first day of January next unless Sooner Discharged and you will also make Return of the names of Said men by the aforesaid monday without fail.
BENJAMIN HAWES Coll.
WRENTHAM Sept. ye 22 1778. CAPT. LOVELL & SELECTMEN."
" WRENTHAM OCT. 10, 1778.
DEAR SIR : You are Desired with your Subbalton to Attend at the House of mr Samuel Lathbridges in Franklin on Monday the 26th Instant at Eight o'clock in the morning in order to Consult and Determine Some matters in this Regiment if Agre- able. Your Humble Servant BENJ. HAWES Colo.
CAPT JOSEPH LOVELL In Medway.
SIR be so Kind as to Notify your Subbalton of the time and Place."
" SIR, You are Derected Emediatly to make out a return of Number & State of your Company as Required Some time Past Expressing the Date of your first and Present Commission & all males above sixteen years of age that live in the Bounds of
2
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your Company are to be returned way on the other & none that are hired from other Towns or Companys.
Wrentham, Jan. 24, 1779 By order of COLL. HAWES, JOHN GUILD, Lieut. Capt. LOVELL in Medway."
" DEAR SIR : you are hereby Notified to Attend on a Committee ordered by the Gen- eral Court at the House of mr Seth Clark in medfield on Tuesday the 16 Day of march Instant at ten o'clock in the forenoon, where you may have opportunity to offer what you have to say Respecting the Ranks of your Company or any other Dificulty or Dispute of that nature- by order of Eleazer Brooks Chairman of Said Committee your Humble Servant.
WRENTHAM march ye 4th 1779. CAPTAIN LOVELL."
BENJAMIN HAWES Colo.
" Capt. LOVELL. SIR : 1
You are Hereby Ordered to Detach from the East Company in the Town of Med- way two able bodied Soldiers, armed and accoutred According to Law, to Do Duty in the State of Rhode Island till the first Day of July next unless sooner Discharged, to be under the same pay of the Continental Army, and Over & above to be paid by this State 12 pounds per month to each man and the Selectmen are Directed to pay to Each non Commisioned officer and Soldier one Shilling per mile for Travel & Trans- porting their Pack to Tiverton the Place of their Destination and Lay their Accounts before the General Court for Payment, Said men to Parade at the House of Mr David mann in Wrentham on Thursday the 13th Day of may Instant at Eight o'Clock in the morning in order to march to Tiverton. you will make return of the Names of the men so Detached unto my self on or before said Thursday.
Given under my Hand and Seal at Wrentham this fifth Day of may A. D. 1779.
BENJAMIN HAWES, Coll."
" A Copy of the Regulation of the Prices in the Town of Medway for Teaming Labour and Other Necessaries, agreable to a Resolve of a Late Convention held at Concord viz
Wheet at. £8-IOS
Rye at. 5-IOS
Indian Corn. 4
Oats at. 2
Barley at. 4
Beef pr Ib 4s
Mutton Beef & Lamb 2- 3S
Butter. IOS
Fourmeal Cheese
5s
Cyder per Barrel .. 3-IOS
Inholder for a Commons. 12S
Dinner 6s
and Other Vittels in Proportion
Horse keeping by grass pr N .. 9s
Yoke of Oxen pr Night. 13s-6d
Best Sort of Sheeps wool. I- 28
Good Flax pr 1b ...
1IS
Mans Labour at Haying per Day 2- 25 And other Labours in Proportion
MEDWAY, August ye 24th, 1779.
Ox work per day. .
..
£I- IS
And other Teaming in Oour
Owin Town in Proportion
Carpenters work per Day.
2- 8s
Mason's ditto
3
Raw Hides pr 1b.
3s
Sole Leather ditto,
ISs
Good pair mens shoes
5- Ss
And all Other Shoes in Pro- portion
Good Bloom Bar Iron per cwt. . 25 Blacksmith work for Shoeing a Horse and Heating .. .... 3-12s And all other Smith work in Proportion and All other Ar- ticles that are Bought or Sold in This Town and all Mean Labour to be in Proportion to the above articles.
Signed by Seven of the Committee."
" The Account of several Payments of money made of the Selectmen of medway to the militia of sd Town for Rations to support themselves and for the carriage of
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Our Packs on their several marches hereafter mentioned to Reinforce the Army in the state of Rhode Island viz -
To men tht marched by order of Council in the month of April to Providence 30 miles. To Brister in July 40 miles in July to Cumberland 20 miles in October to Little Compton 55 miles.
25 men to Providence . ... 78-6d £9-78-6d | 39 men to Cumberland ... 58 £ 9-15-0 12 = Brister ...... 108 6-0 -0 55 Little Compton. 138-9d 37-16-3
NAMES.
" John Ellis Jun John Wheeler
Joshua Partridge Joel Fairbank
John Combs Abel Jones
Eli Bullard
Josiah Morse
Jabez Shumway Jesse Daniel
Stephen Harding Sam1 Damon
Job Harding Jedediah Phillip
Ebenezer Ellis Asa Ellis Jun
Ziba Partridge Elias Harding
Benjamin Parnel
Simpson Jones
DanielRichardsonJun Eli Ellis
Abraham Harding Jr Abijah Fairbanks
Ichabod Seaver
Joseph Daniel
Samuel Jones
George Sumner
Oliver Richardson Lemuel Daniel
Elijah Clark
Ishmael Coffee
Peter Frost
Moses Hill
Jonas Brick
Lt John Ellis
Francis Clark
John Hill
Amos Turner
Lt Joshua Gould
Jotham Fairbanks
Amos Broad
Conel Youngman
Joel Haws."
Ezra Richardson
" Pay Roll of Six Months Men Serving in Continental Army in the year 1780.
John Alden Henry Fleming Bartholomew Fuller Prince Brewster
Luther Cutler
Lovell Cushing
George Riley Jeremiah Crocker
John Whiting Dwight Allen
Elijah Ellis Thomas Coffee."
" A Return of the Continental Soldiers that have been enlisted and hired to enlist either during the present war or for 3 years for or in behalf the Town of Medway April 1780.
Ozias Metcalf Jonathan Graves Nathan Thayer Paul Holbrook."
Joseph Clark Abijah Richardson Dening Sheffield
" The following men served in Capt. Samuel Cowell's Co. in Col. Regt 2 months
d- 4 Days .- £4-58-4d.
Jonathan Holbrook Elijah Clark
Elias Harding Sylvanus Morse
Simeon Richardson Simeon Partridge
William Ellis Abel Ellis
Josiah Fuller Joseph Daniels Asa Fuller Benjamin Clark
Fisher Adams Eli Bullard
James Barber Paul Ellis
Abner Morse William Stinner
John Harding
Nathan Smith."
" A List of Names of Men who Served at Fishkill from Medway.
Phineas Adams
Isaac Boyden Timothy Adams Charles White."
Obadiah Adams Ichabod Hawes
" The following men Served 8 mos. in Capt Jacob Mather's Co. in Col. Doolittle's Regt
Hezekiah Bullard
Paul Ellis Silas Fairbanks."
" The following men Served in Capt. Joseph Morse's Co. in Col. John Patterson's Regt. Damon Clifford Joseph Bullard."
Miscellaneous Revolutionary Notes.
"JONAS BRICK. Col. Whitcomb's Reg. Capt. Benj. Bullard's Company in Conti- nental Service at Ticonderoga in the year 1777; brought home sick in Dec. 1776; charge against town £4-25-6d; for Samuel Partridge man and horse 28 days in bringing him home, Doctor's Bill after his return 128; all paid March 28 1778 by Joseph Lovell for Town.
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ISHMAEL COFFEE. Served six months in Col. J. Greaton's Regiment ; certified to by Col. Greaton Sept 26 1782.
NATHAN GROUT. Served nine months in 1779-80 in the Continental Army.
THOMAS MORSE. Served three years and gives his receipt in full May 20th 1781 for service in Continental Army.
WILLIAM LEE. receipts Dec. 15 1781 for £63 for Bounty for service three years in Continental Army of Medway.
SAMUEL NOBLE. receipts Dec. 7 1781 for £46 for Bounty for service During the war."
" MEDWAY April 20th 1781.
An account of the time of Inlistment of the three years Soldiers & the Agreement with them.
THOMAS MORSE. Inlisted May 20th 1781. To serve three years in the Continental Army for sd Town. For the sum of Ninety pound, in Gold or Silver, £30 Paid in hand & £30 more in one year, the other £30 in two years from the Date of his In- listment. The above Thomas Morse has hired.
WILM DAMSEY, BENJN DAVIDSON, JNO DAVIDSON, ROGER CRAIN. Inlisted May 3Ist 1781. To serve three years in the Continental Army for sd Town For the sum of Eighty-four pounds Each 48 paid in hand & £36 more in Eight months from the Date of their Inlistment.
LOREING CUSHING, Inlisted May 30th 1781. For the Sum of Ninety pound, £30 paid in hand & £30 in one year & the remainder in two years.
BENJN PARNEL. Inlisted June 25, 1781, For the sum of Ninety pound £30 paid in hand & £30 in one year & the remainder in two years.
WILLM & JOSEPH SOUTHWORTH Inlisted August 16, 1781 to serve nine months in the Continental Army for sd Town for the Sum of Twenty five pound five shilling. Each paid in hand.
JOHN DICKERSON, JNO SILVESTER JOHNSON, & HENRY BURK. Inlisted Sept 4, 1781, to Serve three year for the Sum of Seventy five pounds Each, £36 paid in hand £24 in two months & 15 in 5 months to Each.
SAML NOBLE. Inlisted Decembr 7 1781. To serve Dureing the war with Great Britton in the Continental army for the Town of Medway for the sum of Forty-six pounds in Gold or silver.
WILLIAM LEE. Inlisted Decembr 7th 1781 To Serve three years in the Continental Army for the Town of Medway For the Sum of Sixty three pounds in Gold or Silver Twenty one pounds paid in hand, twelve pounds to be Paid in Six Months & Thirty pounds in twelve Months from the Date hereof."
" The following sums of Money expended by the Town of Medway for hiring Soldiers to serve in the Continental Army in the year 1781, agreeable to Resolve of Gen- eral Court Dec 2 1780.
John Dickinson for 3 years. £70 Samuel Noble for 3 years. £70
Henry Bush 70 William Southworth 2 years 70
William Lee 70 Joseph Southworth 2 " 70
HENRY ELLIS
Selectmen
OLIVER ADAMS
of
JOSEPH LOVELL Medway.
Medway, 30, 1783."
" JAREB PRESTON, receipts for £12 hiring four soldiers into the Continental service for 3 years, May 31 1781.
WILLIAM DEMSEY BENJ. DAVISON JOHN DAVISON RODGER CRAIN receipt May 31, 1781 for £90 for engaging themselves as soldiers in the Continental Army for the term of 3 years.
LORING CUSHING receipts, May 30 1781, for £30 for one year's service.
BENJ. PARNEL receipts for £90 as Bounty for three years service, June 25th, 1782.
JONATHAN PIERCE. Receipts Ang. 21st 1786, for £8-10-8 in full, for nine month's wages in the Continental Army in the year 1779-So."
2I
" By virtue of An Act of the General Court, November ye 5th 1787.
A Return of Bountys and Hire Given by the Inhabitants of the Town of Medway.
Orders of Court of June and July 1776, to Ticonderoga 5 months to 28 men Hire Amount, . £432-13-4
Sept 1776 to 16 men to or near New York 2 months, 162
Novm 1776 to HI men to the Jarses for three months,
128
July 1777 to 12 men to Bristol in ye State Rhode Island,
48
Sept. 1777 to 56 men for the Private Expd Rhode Island 1 month
224
Oct. 1777 to 5 men to Guard ye British Troops Cambdg 5 months, 70-10
Deem 1777 to 4 men to guard ye store near Boston 3 months,
39
Deem 1777 to 2 men to guard Continental stores 6 months, 39
Decm 1777 to 14 men to ye State Rhode Island 3 months,
168
April 1778 to 6 men to fish Kill 9 months,
793
April 1778 to 4 men to North River 8 months,
360
June 1778 to 11 men State Rhode Island 21 Days,
120
June 1778 to 6 men State Rhode Island 6 months, . 6 men Bountys for the Town £14 each,
218-6
84
June 1778 to 2 men Store guard in this State 6 months, July 1778 to 20 men State Rhode Island 15 days,
280
August 1778 to 13 men State Rhode Island 27 days,
275-12
August 1778 to 14 men State Rhode Island During Seidge,
54-7
Sept. 1778 to 4 men to guard sea coast 3 months 2,
ISO
May 1779 to 4 men State of Rhode Island 6 weeks,
118
Sum Total, £3,874-8-4
June 9 1779 to 6 men nine months (paper),
· 3,160
June 28 1779 to 2 men at or near Boston, ·
July 24 1779 to 2 men. . . . near Boston, .
126
August 11 1779 to 4 men State of Rhode Island one month
I37-1I
August 11 1779 to 3 men State Rhode Island one month
103
Oct. st 1779 to 2 men,
61
April 24th 1780, .
June 22, 178o to 16 men for three months (paper), .
22,680
March 1781 to 17 men to State Rhode Island N.E., 70- 2-6
August 1781 to 9 men 3 months Standing Act (Hard Money),
121-10
Oct. 1782 to 2 men guard Nantasket, (Hard Mo.) .
.
4-5-8"
THE REVOLUTIONARY PAPERS printed above were largely furnished by George Lovell Richardson, A. M., of Abington, Mass. Many of them were the original documents which had been preserved among the papers of Cap- tain Joseph Lovell, of Revolutionary fame, who was the great-great-grand- father of Mr. Richardson.
THE INDEPENDENCE OF THE AMERICAN COLONIES was virtually achieved October 19, 1781, by the capture of Cornwallis and his army in Yorktown, but hostilities did not cease for some time after that event, and peace was not proclaimed until April 19, 1783, just eight years from the battle of Lexington.
So
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THE WAR OF ISI2.
THE UNITED STATES declared war against England June 19, 1812, the occasion being the seizure of American vessels and the impressment of thousands of American seamen into the British service. The town of Med- way was represented in the army during this last war with Great Britain, but no complete list of the soldiers can be obtained from any official source. The statement is made that " In the settlement of the claims of Massachu- setts upon the General Government growing out of that war the rolls were surrendered by the State and are held as vouchers by the United States Gov- ernment. The State has not been permitted to have even copies of them. Some claim agents, a few years ago, made copies of a portion and sold them to the State. These are in the Adjutant-General's office in one large volume. But the rolls are simply lists of the men by companies without giving their residences. The only clue of their residence being the town in which the company was recruited. Neither do these copies contain all the organizations. The original rolls are in the Third Auditor's office, Wash- ington, and the only method would seem to be to get copies from there, a matter of doubtful possibility."
The few names of soldiers in the War of 1812, which have been fur- nished by tradition, are the following : Captain Jeremy Daniels, Jotham Fairbanks, Leonard Fairbanks, Silas Fairbanks, and Charles Howard.
The last battle of the War of 1812 was fought January 8, 1815, in New Orleans, La., the United States winning a most decisive victory. Had the telegraph been in use at that time the great Battle of New Orleans would never have been fought, for a treaty of peace was signed December 24, 1814, fourteen days before, in Ghent, Belgium.
This treaty provided that all places captured by either army during the war should be restored to their rightful possessors. Provision was also made for the settlement of the northwest boundary of the United States, and the amicable arrangement of some other matters of minor importance. But the treaty was silent in regard to the impressment of American seamen, which was the great cause of the 'war. Nevertheless, England, from that day to this, has not impressed our sailors, so that the object of the war was prac- tically attained.
The President issued a proclamation of peace February 18th, 1815, which was hailed with public rejoicings in all parts of the country.
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---
1
A. Lincoln
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THE WAR FOR THE UNION.
1861-1865.
After a period of nearly half a century the national peace was again broken by the fire of Confederate rebel batteries, opened upon Fort Sumter. The first gun of the greatest civil war of modern times was fired at half-past four o'clock Friday morning, April 12, 1861. President Lincoln immediately issued a call for 75,000 troops, and there responded 300,000 volunteers, ready to defend the American flag.
The first blood of the war was shed in the streets of Baltimore, April 19, 1861, the eighty-sixth anniversary of the first blood shed in the War of the Revolution on Lexington Green. The Sixth Massachusetts Regiment, hur- rying to the defense of Washington, was attacked in the streets of Baltimore and several soldiers were killed. A Union soldier, being fatally shot, turned about just before he fell lifeless, saluted the flag, and exclaimed : "ALL HAIL THE STARS AND STRIPES ! "
The citizens of Medway were at once roused, and the old fire of patriot- ism kindled in their veins. They at first met together in a large informal assembly to listen to impromptu addresses, and to encourage the enlistment of volunteers. As soon as possible a warrant was issued and a regular town-meeting was assembled April 29th, 1861.
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THE DOINGS OF THE TOWN IN SUPPORT OF THE WAR.
" April 29, 1861. The following committee of twelve was chosen by the town to recommend such measures as the emergency requires : Charles H. Deans, Wm. H. Cary, Wm. Everett, Wm. B. Boyd, David Daniels, Wil- lard P. Clark, Jason Smith, A. C. Grant, M. M. Fisher, Horatio Mason, Abijah R. Wheeler, and Oliver Clifford, who presented the following RES- OLUTIONS :
" Whereas, The people by certain conventions in the states of South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Texas, in violation of their obligations to the other states of the Union and to the Fede- ral Government, have declared themselves independent, taken forcible posses- sion of the forts, arsenals, custom-houses, navy and dock yards, ships, and mil- nitions of war, belonging to and in the lawful custody of the United States, confiscated the property, and cruelly tortured the persons, and even destroyed the lives of Northern citizens, living peaceably in their midst, and now threaten to expel the constituted authorities from the national capital, and possess or destroy the public archives at Washington, and
" Whereas, Large numbers in other states are in open sympathy or active cooperation with the rebel party in their designs to overthrow the American Union and to substitute a slave-holding oligarchy or a military despotism, rejecting entirely the principle of political equality and the right of a consti- tutional majority to govern,
" Whereas, In view of this great Rebellion, Abraham Lincoln, President of the United States, after long forbearance in the hope of returning reason, and submission to the Government, has issued his proclamation, calling upon the loyal states to furnish a sufficient force to defend the capital and to crush the Rebellion, and
"Whereas, John A. Andrew, Governor of this Commonwealth, the mil- itary authorities and forces thereof, have promptly responded to the call of the national executive, and the sixth regiment, through the energy and the pru- dent foresight of the Governor, became the first to enter the capital for its defense, the first to encounter danger and death in the city of Baltimore on the 19th instant, a day now twice rendered immortal in American history, and
" Whereas, The Governor has called upon the several towns and all good citizens to aid in defense of the constitution, the government and the enforce- ment of its laws, now be it
" Resolved, By the citizens of Medway in legal town-meeting assembled that we cherish with unalterable devotion the Constitution adopted by our fathers and will inflexibly support the Government of the United States, that we will contribute our full proportion of men and means to enable the Presi- dent to prosecute the war invoked by a rebel force to a successful issue and to maintain its power at home and its honor abroad.
" Resolved, That we are not insensible to the evils and horrors of civil war, yet we regard civil government as an ordinance of God for the good of man, and especially deem it a duty to ourselves and to posterity to defend with life, if need be, that government which has given to us and to our fathers pros- perity and peace, now that a traitor's hand is stretched forth to destroy it.
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" Resolved, That it becomes all good citizens to practice a rigid economy in personal and family expenses, eschewing all luxurious and extravagant liv- ing in respect to diet, dress, furniture, and equipage, improving every oppor- tunity to obtain more ample means for the support of government and all objects of public and private charity during the crisis now impending.
" Resolved, That a contingent military fund be established by the town, not exceeding in amount the sum of three thousand dollars.
" Resolved, That the treasurer is authorized to borrow on the credit of the town such sums of money not exceeding the above amount, as may be necessary to meet all payments duly authorized and drawn by the selectmen for military purposes.
" Resolved, That a military committee consisting of nine persons, includ- ing the selectmen and chairman of the board of overseers, be appointed with power to provide suitable clothing and uniforms, and all necessary equip- ments not furnished by the State, for any company of volunteer militia that may be raised in the town and vicinity and accepted by the Governor. To provide also a suitable armory for said company, and all other things needful to perfect them in military drilling and discipline preparatory to active ser- vice, and in case such a company be not organized, to make similar provis- ions for any citizens of Medway who may serve in any other company of volunteer militia.
"The committee are also authorized to pay such bounty to the members of said company, or to individual volunteers, that have or may enter into actual service and to make such provisions for the support of their families belong- ing to this town as they shall deem suitable or as the town may direct, not, however, incurring any expense beyond the amount of the military fund.
" Resolved, That the selectmen are hereby authorized and required to draw their warrant upon the town treasurer for all bills duly approved by the committee on military affairs.
" Resolved, That the military committee be authorized to confer with the proper authorities of other towns, and to make any joint arrangements with them for the raising and supporting a company of volunteer militia, or the families of any who may enter actual service, which they may deem lawful and proper."
The foregoing resolutions were adopted by the town, and the following military committee chosen : Messrs. Joel P. Adams, William Daniels, Simeon Fisher, David Daniels, Charles H. Deans, Horatio Mason, Jason Smith, William B. Boyd, and A. S. Harding.
" June 11. Voted to raise the sum of $3,000, to be expended under the direction of the above committee, for the families of the volunteers.
"September 23, 1861. Voted, That patriotism, no less than common humanity and natural affection, require that all suitable means be employed to recover the bodies of any of our citizen soldiers who may fall in battle or die in the service of their country, and to provide for their interment among their friends and fellow-citizens at home. That for this purpose the military com- mittee be authorized to render such aid to the families of the volunteers from this town, as, in their judgment, the exigency of any case may require, and that the expense thus incurred shall be defrayed from the fund already pro- vided in aid of the families of volunteers.
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" January 3, 1862. Voted. That the selectmen be directed to prepare a suitable record of all volunteers from Medway. Vid. THE RECORD OF THE UNION SOLDIERS.
" March 3, 1862. The military committee reported that the sum of $5,277.37 had been paid during the year to the families of volunteers. Chose Messrs. William Daniels, Simeon Fisher, Clark Partridge, Chas. H. Deans, and William B. Boyd a military committee for the ensuing year.
" Voted, That the committee be instructed to prepare a plan for future dis- bursements and present the same to the town for their action at the next April meeting, continuing the same plan as heretofore for the present month. "April, 1862. Voted, That the committee be instructed to conform to the interpretation put upon statute by the state auditor in all cases of disburse- ment. Voted, That the treasurer be authorized to borrow the sum of $5,000. " July 19, 1862. T'oted, That the selectmen are authorized to offer a bounty of One Hundred dollars, to be paid to each volunteer who shall enlist into the service of the United States, as a part of this town's proportion of volunteers, required of this state as indicated in General Order No. 26 of His Excellency Governor Andrew, and dated at Boston, July S, 1862.
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