BARNSTABLE COUNTY IN
THE CIVIL WAR
The county of Barnstable includes the whole of
Cape Cod which, extending east and north into the Atlantic Ocean, was discovered
by Gosnold in 1602. It is bounded north-west by Plymouth County, and west by
Buzzard's Bay. Cape Cod lies in the form of an arm, half open: the elbow is at
Chatham, twenty miles east of the town of Barnstable, which is the county seat.
The whole length of the Cape is sixty five miles, and the average breadth about
five miles. Below the town of Barnstable the soil is composed mostly of sand;
and the people in considerable degree depend upon Boston, and other large
places, for their meats and breads tuffs. It possesses, however, unrivaled
privileges for the cod, mackerel, and other fisheries. The county has
comparatively little wood, but has many valuable peat meadows, in which, of late
years, the cranberry has been successfully cultivated. The county is supplied
with an abundance of pure soft water. Formerly large quantities of salt were
manufactured on the Cape, which was used in the curing of fish. Of late years
this branch of industry has diminished; so that in 1865 the value of salt
manufactured in the county was only $52,719.00, while the aggregate value of
other articles produced during the same year was six million ninety thousand and
twenty two dollars ($6,090,022), of which nearly two millions and a quarter were
derived from the cod and mackerel fisheries, — with which and the coasting trade
almost every family is more or less identified and interested. Barnstable County
is noted for its good sailors and men of superior nautical talents, while its
women are equally celebrated " for their fair complexions and good housewifery."
Its people are the most homogeneous in the
State, never having received a large infusion of new blood. It is not a
desirable place for foreign settlement. The county, therefore, retains its old
names, and its people their good old ways; yet in no portion of the State will
one find a more intelligent and well bred people, in no community is there a
more equal distribution of wealth, or a more genuine feeling of generous but
unobtrusive hospitality.
There are but thirteen towns in Barnstable
County, one of the largest and most important of which, at the present time, is
Provincetown, at the extreme end of the Cape, whose capacious harbor is one of
the best on the Atlantic coast. In 1860 the population of the county was 35,990,
in 1865 it was 34,489, being a decrease in five years of 1,501. The valuation of
the county in 1860 was $12,621,291.00, in 1865 it was $14,276,-198.00, showing
an increase in five years of $1,654,907.00.
The number of men which Barnstable County
furnished for the war was reported by the selectmen of the towns, in 1866, to
have been 2,305. This return must have been altogether incorrect : the number
could not have been less than thirty six or thirty seven hundred, the percentage
of men furnished throughout the Commonwealth being about 9£ to every 100
inhabitants ; and that Barnstable County was not behind any other portion of the
State is conclusively shown by the fact, well ascertained and indisputable, that
each of its towns filled its contingent of men upon every call of the President,
and at the end of the war each was credited with having furnished a surplus over
and above every demand, which in the aggregate amounted to three hundred and
nine men. The total expenses of the towns on account of the war was $308,985.08.
This is exclusive of $90,934.84, which was raised and paid for State aid to
soldiers' families during the four years of the war, and which was reimbursed by
the State. Total, $399,919.92.
The following is the record of each town in
the county:
Barnstable
Incorporated Sept. 3, 1639. Population in 1860, 5,129; in 1865, 4,913. Valuation
in 1860, $2,041,534; in 1865, $2,265,407.
The selectmen in 1861, 1862, 1863, 1864, and
1865, were Charles C. Bearse, Ebenezer Bacon, and Joseph R. Hull.
The town clerk and town treasurer during the
same period was Frederick G. Kelley.
1861.
The first legal town meeting, to act upon matters relating to the war, was held
on the 4th of May, at which it was
Voted, To pay each volunteer belonging to
Barnstable, " who has enlisted, or may enlist, in the service of the United
States, whether upon the land or upon the sea," the sum of forty dollars to aid
them "in fitting for the service."
Voted, To support the families of those who
enlist and are citizens of Barnstable "during the whole time the head of the
family is actually employed in the service."
Voted, To appropriate one thousand dollars, "
to be placed at the disposal of the Governor of the State for the assistance of
the troops of the State," and that the selectmen notify the Governor " at once "
that the money is subject to his order.
1862.
On the 21st of July, it was voted to pay a bounty of one hundred dollars to each
volunteer who shall enlist in the military service for the term of three years,
when mustered in
and credited to the quota of the town, and one
hundred dollars when he shall be honorably discharged, " or to his lawful
heirs," whether they belong "to the town of Barnstable or
not." It was also voted to pay ten dollars
extra "to each of the first twenty four persons who may volunteer from
Barnstable." The selectmen were authorized to borrow whatever
sums of money might be necessary for the
payment of these bounties; also five thousand dollars for State aid to the
families of volunteers, as provided by act of the Legislature, sec. 1,
chapter 66, of the acts of 1862. August
16th, It was voted "to pay each volunteer for three years' military service one
hundred dollars, when mustered in and credited to the quota of
Barnstable, and fifty dollars to him, or his
legal representatives, at the expiration of the term for which he enlisted."
The following resolutions were read, and
unanimously adopted:
Resolved, That the citizens of Barnstable fully
appreciate the heroic patriotism and noble principle of those of her sons who
have enlisted to make up the quota asked for by the President in his call for
three hundred thousand volunteers, to put down the present wicked rebellion
against the Government and Constitution of our country.
Resolved, That we assure those who thus go
forth in our behalf that we shall watch with fidelity their every footstep, as
true soldiers in the campaign before them; that we have the utmost confidence
that their valor will do honor to the town they represent, and the memory of
those patriot fathers of '76, who went forth from the homes of Barnstable to
battle for the independence and nationality of this glorious government.
Resolved, That we pledge our honor as men and
citizens to take honorable and tender care of the families of our volunteers
whilst they battle for our rights, our liberties, our property, and our honor.
Resolved, That the citizens of this town pledge
their ready and most active and vigorous assistance, according to the full
measure of our ability, now and hereafter, to the President and Government of
the United States, to put down and extinguish for ever this treasonable and most
atrocious rebellion against the best government on the face of the earth.
August 28th, The town voted to pay the same
bounty, and on the same terms, to volunteers who would enlist for nine months'
service and be credited to the quota of Barnstable, that was offered to
volunteers for three years' service by vote of the town passed on the 16th. It
also voted "that all taxes that may be assessed upon the nine months volunteers
for the year 1863 be remitted to them, and that their families be assisted by
this town the same as the families of the three years volunteers are assisted."
* September 6th, It was resolved, " That we have the utmost confidence in the
President of the United States, and that we will give him our cordial support in
signing the Emancipation and Confiscation Act at as early a day as he may deem
expedient."
1864.
June 30th, The town voted that all citizens who had enlisted, or might
afterwards enlist, " who had received a bounty of one hundred and fifty dollars,
be paid that amount," and to the heirs of those who have died in the service.
July 27th, Voted to pay "each man in town who has, or who shall, put in a
substitute in anticipation of a draft, the sum of one hundred and twenty five
dollars."
1865.
At the annual town meeting held March 6th, it was voted to authorize the
selectmen to pay to each volunteer citizen who has no family or dependent, and
therefore not entitled to State aid, the sum of two dollars a week while
in the service.
1866.
March 5th, An appropriation of one thousand dollars was made for the erection of
a soldiers" monument, to which was added $260.80, being the balance of the
soldiers' fund in the hands of the selectmen. Walter Chipman, Joseph R. Hall,
F. G. Kelley, Henry Goodspeed, Nathaniel Hinckley, Charles C. Bearse, and
Freeman H. Jenkins were appointed to locate
the monument and arrange for its erection.
The monument was erected in that part of Barnstable called Centreville, and was
appropriately dedicated July 4, 1866.
Barnstable, according to a return made in 1866
by the selectmen, furnished two hundred and seventy two men for the war, which
is quite inaccurate; for the number of those in the military and naval service
properly credited to the town must have been nearly five hundred, as it
furnished its full quota upon every call of the President for men, and had a
surplus of thirty five over and above all demands, at the end of the war. Three
were commissioned officers in the military service. The whole amount of money
appropriated and expended by the town on account of the war, exclusive of State
aid, was thirty eight thousand five hundred and seventy four dollars and fifteen
cents ($38,574.15).
The amount of money raised by the town, and
expended each year of the war in the payment of State aid to the families of
volunteers, and which was afterwards refunded by the Commonwealth, was as
follows: In 1861, $93.60; in 1862, $2,525.57; in 1863, $6,182.23; in
1864, $6,851.53; in 1865, 4,100.00. Total in four years, $19,652.93.
The good work performed by the ladies of
Barnstable was very considerable. There are three villages in the town, in each
of which there were regular organized societies. We have only brief mention of
what was done in two of them. In Barnstable proper, the Ladies' Sanitary
Association was formed, immediately " after the publication of the circular of
the New England Women's Auxiliary Association was received," and continued until
the close of the war. Mrs. S. B. Phinny was president, and Miss E. A.
Chamberlain was secretary, most of the time. They made 3,153 articles, and $768
were raised in money. Hundreds of yards of bandages were made, boxes of lint,
and a large quantity of preserves, &c. The ladies were untiring in their zeal.
There was also " a Children's Aid Society," a branch of the New England Women's
Auxiliary Association. It began in 1862, and continued until the close of the
war, of which Miss Cordelia E. Fhinny was president. 1,276 articles were made,
and $106 were raised in money, by this society of little people.
The Centreville Ladies' Soldiers' Relief
Society continued in operation "one year ten months and eight days." Their
receipts were $409.74. They sent two boxes of clothing to the " New England
Women's Auxiliary Association and one box to the Christian Commission." Of this
society Mrs. Margaret Handy was president, and Miss Amanda Crosby secretary. We
make the following extract:
u When the time arrived that oar services were
no longer needed, we had considerable money and clothing on hand, which were
disposed of in gifts to our returned soldiers, and those who were suffering in
consequence of the war, and to associations in aid of the war. From Jane 1,
1865, to Feb. 7, 1866, we distributed gifts in money to the amount of $248.86."
Brewster
Incorporated Feb. 19, 1803. Population in 1860, 1,489 ; in 1865, 1,459.
Valuation in 1860, $636,333 ; in 1865, $801,452. The selectmen in 1861 were
Tully Crosby, Zoeth Snow, Jr., Randolphus McLoud; in 1862, Jeremiah
Mayo, William Winslow, C. S. Foster; in 1863,
Jeremiah Mayo, C. S. Foster, William Winslow; in 1864, Solomon Freeman, Bailey
Foster, Strabo Clark; in 1865, Solomon Freeman, Jeremiah Mayo, C. S. Foster.
The town clerk and town treasurer during all of
these years was Charles S. Foster.
1861.
The first town meeting, to consider matters in relation to the war, was held May
21st, at which it was voted to appropriate five hundred dollars to " the
Massachusetts Soldiers" Aid
Fund." A committee of three was appointed "
to see that the families of all volunteers were comfortably provided for;" and
the treasurer was authorized to borrow money when necessary for the above
purposes.
1862.
July 28th, A bounty of one hundred and fifty dollars was voted " to each
volunteer who shall enlist for three years, and be credited to the quota of the
town, and fifty dollars additional to those who shall enlist within forty eight
hours." A committee was elected to help the selectmen in recruiting
volunteers. August 25th, Voted to pay a bounty of one hundred
dollars to volunteers enlisting to the credit
of the town in the nine months' service, and to pay eleven dollars a month to
each of their families while in the service.
1863.
December 1st, The treasurer was authorized to borrow eleven hundred dollars for
recruiting purposes, " if it shall be needed."
1864.
At the annual March meeting it was voted that all the business of recruiting "
be left with the selectmen, and that they be authorized to use any money they
may find in the treasury for that purpose." March 21st, Voted to raise two
thousand dollars for recruiting purposes, "if legal." June 15th, Voted, to
pay a bounty of one hundred and twenty five dollars to each volunteer who shall
enlist for three years, and be credited to the quota of the town; and the
treasurer was authorized to borrow the money " when needed."
1865.
At the annual March meeting, " Voted, to raise three thousand dollars (if
needed) for recruiting purposes."
Brewster furnished one hundred and forty one
men for the war, which was a surplus of seventeen over and above all demands.
None of them were commissioned officers in the
military service. There were probably some in the navy. The whole amount of
money appropriated and expended by the town for war purposes, exclusive of State
aid to soldiers' families, was nineteen thousand four hundred and fifty three
dollars and seventy three cents ($19,453.73). A considerable amount was
voluntarily contributed by private citizens.
The amount raised and expended by the town for
aid to soldiers' families, and afterwards reimbursed to it by the State, was as
follows: In 1861, 00; in 1862, $291.96; in 1863, $1,024.00; in 1864, $1,819.20;
in 1865, $1,221.07. Total, $4,356.23.
The ladies of Brewster in 1862 organized a
Soldiers' Aid Society, which continued in operation until the close of the war,
and did much good.
Chatham
Incorporated June 11, 1712. Population in 1860, 2,710; in 1865, 2,637. Valuation
in 1860, $886,157; in 1865, $1,000,543.
The selectmen in 1861, 1862, 1863, 1864, and
1865, were Josiah Hardy, Benjamin F. Freeman, Levi Eldridge, Jr.
The town clerk and town treasurer during the
same years was Josiah Mayo.
1861.
Several citizens' meetings were held in Chatham during this year, at which
action both by word and deed was taken to place the town in its true position as
regards the war; but no formal town meeting was called, as none was necessary.
1862.
On the 22d of July a legal town meeting was held, at which it was voted to pay
a bounty of two hundred dollars to each volunteer who would enlist for three
years' military service,
when mustered in and credited to the quota of
the town; also to pay, to assist the family of each volunteer residing in the
town, an amount not to exceed eighteen dollars a month.
August 25th, Another meeting was held, at which
it was voted to pay a bounty of one hundred and fifty dollars to each volunteer
for nine months' service, when credited to the quota of the town, and to pay his
family the same amount of assistance as paid to the families of three years
volunteers.
1863.
On the 3d of February a town meeting was held, to consider the action of the
selectmen, and the responsibilities they had incurred in behalf of the town.
Up to this date they had borrowed eight thousand dollars on their individual
notes, which they had expended in the payment of bounties and other
necessary expenditures. The town voted unanimously to
assume their entire liability, by giving the
notes of the town, to run for five years. The same meeting refused to pay a
bounty to two men who were residents of another town, all though they had been
credited to the military quota of Chatham. On the 8th of December, Christopher
Taylor, 2nd, Edmund Flynn, and David H. Crowell were chosen by ballot to aid
the selectmen in recruiting volunteers to fill
the quota of the town; also voted, "that there be a general meeting of the
citizens of the town held every Tuesday evening until the 5th of January next,
to commence on Tuesday evening next at six o'clock," to encourage recruiting,
and to consider measures by which to fill the quota of the town.
1864.
On the 3rd of February the town voted to pay four dollars a month to each
person dependent on a volunteer for support, provided the amount to any one
family shall not exceed eighteen dollars a month."
1865.
On the 1st of January a large meeting of citizens was held, at which, after
discussion, it was voted to raise by voluntary subscription a sufficient sum
from which to pay to each volunteer who will enlist in the service of the United
States, and be credited to the quota of the town, a bounty of one hundred and
twenty five dollars; and a paper having been prepared, thirty two hundred and
five dollars were subscribed by those present at the meeting, which fully
sufficed to fill the quota; and at a legal town meeting, held on the 6th of
April succeeding, the persons advancing the money were reimbursed by the town.
We may as well state here as anywhere that the
town in 1866, after the war was over, voted to refund to every citizen the money
he had subscribed and paid to furnish volunteers;
and also to pay to persons who had furnished
substitutes, who were credited to the town, the money they had paid to procure
them.
Chatham furnished two hundred and sixty four
men for the war, which was a surplus of thirty two over and above all demands.
Five were commissioned officers. The whole amount of money appropriated and
expended by the town on account of the war, exclusive of State aid, was twenty
seven thousand six hundred and eleven dollars and sixty nine cents ($27,611.69).
The amount raised and expended by the town
during the four years of the war for aid to the families of volunteers, and
which was afterwards reimbursed by the Commonwealth, was as follows: In 1861,
00; in 1862, $809.59; in 1863, $1,706.80; in 1864, $2,535.00; in 1865,
$1,436.03. Total amount, $6,487.42.
Dennis
Incorporated June 19, 1793. Population in 1860,3,662; in 1865, 3,512. Valuation
in 1860, $1,108,-054; in 1865, $1,181,399.
The selectmen in 1861, 1862, 1863, 1864, and
1865, were Joshua C. Howes, Alvan Small, Elijah Baxter.
The town clerk during the same years was Isaiah
Nickerson. The town treasurer in 1861, 1862, 1863, and 1864 was Isaiah
Nickerson; in 1865, Jonathan Bangs.
1861. There does not appear to have been
any action taken
by the town in its corporate capacity in
relation to the war
during this year, although meetings of citizens
were held, and
every thing was done which the occasion
required. Of these
citizens' meetings no record appears to have
been preserved, or,
if there were, we have failed to obtain a copy
of it, which
we much regret.
1862.
A special town meeting was held July 26th, to act upon war matters; at which a
committee of six gentlemen were appointed to act with the selectmen in
recruiting volunteers to
fill the quota required of the town, under the
call of the President for three hundred thousand men for three years' military
service. The town authorized them to pay a bounty to each
recruit of two hundred and fifty dollars, when
mustered in and properly credited to the quota of the town; or they could be
paid the bounty before being mustered, upon " giving satisfactory security to
the selectmen that the money would be refunded if the volunteer did not pass an
examination and was rejected." The treasurer was authorized to borrow money
sufficient to meet the expenditure. On the 19th of August another formal meeting
was held; and the town voted to pay the same amount of bounty to volunteers for
nine months' service, three quarters of the amount to be paid to the recruit
when accepted, mustered in, and credited, and the remaining quarter when he was
honorably discharged from the service. The treasurer was authorized to borrow
five thousand dollars to pay the same.
These appear to have been the most important
votes which were passed in relation to the payment of bounties. Other votes for
the payment of State aid to the families of the volunteers were passed each year
until the end of the war. Although the information received from Dennis is not
so full and complete as we have received from many of the other towns, yet the
result shows that few towns were more active in the good cause, or came out of
the war with a better record.
Dennis reported in 1866 to have furnished two
hundred and twenty men for the war, which is considerably below the actual
number. Including the men in the navy, Dennis must have furnished about three
hundred and seventy men, as at the end of the war the town had filled its quota
in every call of the President, and had a surplus of forty three men over and
above all demands. None of the men in the military service were commissioned
officers. The whole amount of money appropriated and expended by the town on
account of the war, exclusive of State aid, was twenty two thousand six hundred
and fifty two dollars and sixty six cents ($22,652.66).
The amount of money raised and expended by the
town during the four years of the war for aid to the families of volunteers, and
which was afterwards refunded by the Commonwealth, was as follows : In 1861,
$32.00; in 1862, $582.63 ; in 1863, $952.66; in 1864, $1,334.15; in 1865,
$912.17. Total amount, $3,813.61.
Eastham
Incorporated June 2,1646. Population in I860, 779; in 1865, 757. Valuation in
1860, $226,795; in 1865, $219,948.
The selectmen during the years 1861, 1862,
1863, 1864, and 1865, were Zara Higgins, Prince S. Harding, Jonathan Snow.
The town clerk during all the years of the war
was Herman Doane. The town treasurer in 1861, 1862, 1863, and 1864, was Herman
Doane; in 1865, Josiah M. Cole.
1861.
There does not appear to have been any action taken by the town, in its
corporate capacity, in relation to the war during this year.
1862.
On the 28th of July a special town meeting was held, to take measures to fill
the quota of the town under the recent
call of the President for three hundred thousand three-
years men ; at which it was voted to authorize
the payment of a bounty of two hundred and fifty dollars to each volunteer who
would enlist and be credited to the town. The selectmen were authorized to
borrow one thousand dollars to pay the same.
An enlistment paper was opened at the meeting,
and four young men of Eastham immediately enrolled their names as volunteers.
These filled the quota of the town. The names of the young men were
Francis Penmore,
Henry Morrison,
Peter Higgins,
Nathan A. Gill.
The meeting then passed the following resolutions :
Resolved, That we cherish an unfaltering
attachment to the Union and the Constitution formed by our patriotic fathers,
and deeply deplore the cause which has produced such an unhappy alienation
between the people of the North and South, which has ripened into a gigantic
rebellion and unprecedented civil war.
Resolved, That we highly approve the judicious
and patriotic course of the President of the United States in this trying hour,
amid the jargon of party warfare that is carried on in the high places of the
nation against the wise provisions and requirements of that time honored
Constitution ; and while he continues to stand firmly on that rock of our
country's salvation, we will stand by and maintain him with all the men in our
power, in his efforts to restore our divided and distracted country to its honor
and peace.
At a meeting held on the 28th of August, the
town voted to pay a bounty of one hundred and sixty dollars to each volunteer
for nine months' service, when mustered in and credited to the town. Nine young
men immediately enlisted and filled the quota of the town. December 5th, Voted,
to pay a bounty of one hundred and eighty dollars to each of seven men enlisted
in Boston and credited to Eastham.
1863.
A special town meeting was held on the 2nd of December, when it was
voted " that the selectmen use their best endeavors to fill the quota of ten men
for this town as soon as
possible, within the town or elsewhere. The
treasurer was authorized to borrow money to pay the expenses.
1864.
May 3rd, The selectmen were directed to "pay to volunteers under any future
call a bounty of one hundred and twenty five dollars." This amount was
continued to be paid
until the end of the war.
Eastham furnished seventy seven men for the
war, which was a surplus of eleven over and above all demands. None were
commissioned officers. The total amount of money appropriated and expended by
the town on account of the war, exclusive of State aid, was three thousand four
hundred and seventy six dollars and fifty four cents ($3,476.54).
The amount of money raised and expended by the
town during the four years of the war for aid to soldiers' families, and
afterwards repaid by the Commonwealth, was as follows:
In 1861, 00;
in 1862, $111.63;
in 1863, $223.20;
in 1864, $198.40;
in 1865, $300.00.
Total amount, $833.23.
Falmouth
Incorporated June 4, 1686. Population in 1860, 2,456; in 1865, 2,294. Valuation
in 1860, $1,323,-308; in 1865, $1,375,661.
The selectmen in 1861,1862, and 1863, were
Thomas Lewis, Jr., Prince G. Moore, Silas J. Eldred; in 1864 and 1865, Thomas
Lewis, Jr., Prince G. Moore, Zenas Hamblin.
The town clerk and town treasurer during all
the years of the war was Thomas Lewis, Jr.
1861.
The following extract from a letter which we received in 1867 from Thomas Lewis,
Jr., chairman of the selectmen, town clerk and town treasurer all through the
war, in regard to Falmouth, will apply to almost every town in Barn-stable
County: —
" At the time of the breaking out of the
Rebellion, most of our young men were pursuing their peculiar avocations upon
the seas, and most of them on long voyages; nevertheless we were able to fulfill
all the requirements of the State and General Governments in furnishing men for
the war, and when the struggle was over had the satisfaction of knowing we had
furnished a surplus of ten men."
The first action taken by the town, in its
corporate character, was at a special meeting held on the 2d of December ("
after one of our citizens had enlisted in the Twenty fourth Massachusetts
Regiment"), at which it was voted to instruct the selectmen to aid the families
of those who have, or may hereafter, enlist in the service of the United States.
1862.
A special town meeting was held on the 2nd of August, which voted
to pay "each volunteer citizen of the town, upon his enlisting for three years,
a bounty of one hundred and twenty five dollars, and one hundred dollars in
addition when regularly discharged from the service." In addition to this
bounty of the town, there was raised by voluntary subscription ten dollars to
each volunteer, of whom there were twenty eight who "enlisted on the spot."
Of these, twelve served until the end of the war; "the others were killed, died
of disease, or were discharged on account of
sickness." On the 11th of September another special meeting was held, at
which the town voted " to pay any of its citizens " a bounty of
one hundred dollars upon enlistment for nine
months' service, and a further sum of one hundred dollars when regularly
discharged. " Six immediately enlisted, each of whom served his full
time." October 13th, The selectmen were authorized to enlist men in other
places, if a sufficient number could not be obtained in Falmouth; " but in no
case to pay any higher bounty than that paid to our own citizens." December
15th, The town bounty to each volunteer was fixed at two hundred dollars.
1863.
A special meeting was held on the 21st of December, when the selectmen were
authorized to draw on the town treasurer for such expenses as may be incurred
in procuring the town's quota of volunteers ; " and they were instructed w to
proceed forthwith to procure the men required.
1864.
April , The selectmen were directed n to procure the number of men required, or
which may be required, under any order of the President previous to March 1,
1865." Under this vote the selectmen acted until the end of the war.
Falmouth, notwithstanding most of her able
bodied young men were at sea, furnished of her own citizens one hundred and
thirty eight men for the army, and twenty for the navy, making one hundred and
fifty eight of her own people. Nearly one hundred must have been obtained from
other places. At the end of the war, Falmouth had a surplus of ten men over and
above all demands made upon it. Two were commissioned officers. The whole amount
of money appropriated and expended by the town on account of the war, exclusive
of State aid, was twenty thousand one hundred and fifty four dollars and thirty
five cents ($20,154.35). In addition to this amount, eighteen hundred and fifty
four dollars were raised by private subscription to encourage enlistment's, and
six hundred and forty seven dollars for the sick and wounded in hospitals.
The amount of money raised and expended by the
town during the four years of the war, for aid to the families of volunteers,
and which was afterwards refunded by the Commonwealth, was as follows :
In 1861, $21.60 ;
in 1862, $751.50;
in 1863, $1,371.46;
in 1864, $1,450.00;
in 1865, $979.34.
Total amount, $4,674.20.
The ladies of Falmouth did their full
proportion to assist the soldiers in the field and in the hospital. Taking " in
the estimate of barrels and boxes forwarded by them, in which were clothes and
sanitary stores, it is difficult to come to a definite conclusion; but from all
that I can learn from those ladies who had the particular charge of these
matters, I think it may be safely set down at twelve hundred dollars." Mr.
Lewis, to whom we are indebted for much of the information in regard to
Falmouth, writes:
" Although we have no set speeches to record,
there was always manifest at our meetings a determined will to do all in our
power to bring the Rebellion to an end; and could you have been present at the
gatherings of the fair sex, as they so often met to ply their fingers in
preparing articles for the comfort and relief of the sick and dying, you would
have beard such words of patriotism as flow from no other hearts. There is one
case of sacrifice to which I cannot forbear to allude. During the Rebellion,
three sons of a very poor citizen of our town enlisted. One was married, and had
a family of five little children. The aged and poor parents were dependent upon
the other two for their support. All three sons were killed in battle!
Harwich
Incorporated Sept. 14, 1694. Population in 1860, 3,423; in 1865, 3,540.
Valuation in 1860, $841,833 ; in 1865, $1,025,217.
The selectmen in 1861 were Cyrus Weeks, Thomas
Kenrick, Isaiah C. Kelly; in 1862, Benjamin W. Eldridge, Isaiah C. Kelly,
Sheldon Crowell; in 1863, Isaiah C. Kelly, Thomas Kendrick, Sheldon Crowell; in
1864, Joseph C. Berry, Danforth S. Steele, Shubeal B. Kelly; in 1865, Danforth
S. Steele, Joseph C. Berry, Shubeal B. Kelly.
The town clerk and town treasurer during all of
these years was William H. Underwood.
1861.
The first legal town meeting, to act upon matters relating to the war, was held
on the 10th of May, at which it was voted to raise a company of one hundred men
for a Coast Guard; and a committee of five was appointed to confer with the
authorities of other towns on the Cape in regard to the same. June 3d, The
selectmen were authorized to borrow one thousand dollars for war purposes."
1862.
April 19th, Voted, to pay a bounty of one hundred dollars to each volunteer who
enlists in the military service for three years, and is credited to the town.
July 26th, The bounty
was raised to two hundred dollars, and the
selectmen were directed "to fill the quota of the town as soon as possible."
August 19th, Voted, to pay volunteers for nine months' service
a bounty of one hundred and fifty dollars,
which, on September 11th, was increased fifty dollars; and Valentine Doane,
Jr., and Danforth S. Steele were appointed recruiting officers. The treasurer
was authorized to borrow money.
1863.
August 11th, Voted, to pay drafted men a bounty of one hundred and fifty
dollars. The treasurer was authorized to borrow ten thousand dollars to pay
bounties and expenses of recruiting. November 30th, Twenty five hundred dollars
were authorized to be borrowed " to pay charges and assist in recruiting fifty
men."
1864.
March 16th, The selectmen were directed to pay each volunteer belonging to that
town one hundred dollars, who has not already received a bounty; also to borrow
money to pay State aid to the families of soldiers. June 21st, Voted, that to
each drafted man who furnished a substitute there be paid not exceeding three
hundred dollars, if he was credited to fill the quota of the town. Several
other meetings were held during the year, at which means were taken to recruit
men and furnish State aid for the families of soldiers.
1865.
November 7th, Voted, "that the selectmen be authorized to treat all widows in
town, whose husbands have fallen in the war, with due and especial
benevolence; and those who have no house, to see that they have a home outside
of the almshouse."
Harwich furnished three hundred and forty one
men for the war, which was a surplus of twenty nine over and above all demands.
Four were commissioned officers. The whole amount of money appropriated and
expended by the town on account of the war, exclusive of State aid to soldiers'
families, was forty two thousand five hundred and sixty dollars and two cents
($42,560.02).
The amount raised and expended by the town for
aid to the families of soldiers, and afterwards repaid by the State, was as
follows :
In 1861, 00;
in 1862, $736.38 ;
in 1863, $1,276.69 ;
in 1864, $5,159.92 ;
in 1865, $4,374.00.
Total in four years, $11,462.99.
The ladies of Harwich " did a great deal for
the soldiers all through the war," and especially those attached to the several
religious societies, the ministers acting as shipping agents. Many meetings
were held, at which under-clothing, lint, bandages, and other necessary
articles, were made, which were sent to the army hospitals.
Orleans
Incorporated March 3, 1797. Population in 1860, 1,678; in 1865, 1,586. Valuation
in 1860, $487,914; in 1865, $558,858.
The selectmen in 1861 were Joseph Cummings,
Calvin Snow, George W. Cummings; in 1862 and 1863, Jesse C. Snow, John Kenrick,
Edmund Crosby; in 1864 and 1865, John Kenrick, Truman Doane, Ira Mayo.
The town clerk and town treasurer in 1861,
1862, and 1863, was Thomas Higgins; in 1864 and 1865, Freeman Mayo.
1861.
The first legal town meeting, to consider matters relating to the war, was held
on the 27th of May, at which the following resolutions were read, and
unanimously adopted:
Resolved: That, as true and loyal citizens of
the United States, we will cherish inviolate the Union and the Constitution and
the enforcement of the laws, believing them to be the only safe palladium of our
liberties, under which as a nation we have been favored with unexampled
prosperity.
Resolved, That the active measures now being
made by the National Administration, in all departments, for the successful
crushing out of the unnatural rebellion on the part of the so called Southern
Confederacy, meets with our warmest approbation, and should have the aid and
encouragement of every true lover of his country, without regard to party
proclivities.
Resolved, That as, in the language of
Jefferson," the price of Liberty is eternal vigilance," it becomes the sacred
duty of every loyal citizen, in this hour of his country's peril, to frown down
with abhorrence any attempt to aid and abet treason, whether at home or abroad,
expressed or implied; and that we will use our best endeavors to give traitors
that punishment which they so justly deserve.
Resolved, That the patriotic stand taken by
Massachusetts in responding with alacrity to the requirements of the President
for troops to defend the national capital is worthy of all praise, and is an
earnest of that spirit which has ever characterized the citizens of the Old Bat
State, in times of danger and alarm to manfully uphold and defend the glorious
stripes and stars even unto death.
The resolutions having been adopted, the town
authorized the selectmen to borrow one thousand dollars for the payment of State
aid to the families of volunteers, as provided by the act recently passed by the
Legislature in extra session.
1862.
A special town meeting, to act upon matters relating to the war, was held on the
19th of July. At this meeting " a secesh flag," taken" at the capture of New
Orleans, was presented to the town by Captain Josiah Snow, formerly a citizen of
Orleans. The town then voted to pay each of its citizens who would enlist in
the military service of the United States, and be credited to the quota of the
town, a bounty of one hundred and fifty dollars; " and to pay town aid of one
dollar a week to each parent, wife, or child of every volunteer so enlisting."
1863.
No formal town meeting to act upon matters connected with the Rebellion appears
to have been held during this year, although the greatest activity prevailed
among the citizens in recruiting volunteers, and giving proper assistance to the
soldiers' families.
1864.
At a meeting held on the 25th of April, the town voted " to raise the sum of one
hundred and twenty five dollars for each and every one of its quota called for
by the President,
Oct. 17, 1863, and Feb. 1, 1864; and that the
sum be expended in refunding money paid by individual subscription, in
procuring this town's proportion of troops called for at the
aforesaid dates." Two other meetings were
held during this year, but no change was made in the manner of recruiting men or
in the payment of bounties.
1865.
At the meeting held on the 6th of March, the following vote was passed:
Voted, " To pay one hundred and twenty five
dollars each for fourteen men recruited as part of the quota of Orleans, under
the call for troops, Dec. 17, 1864, and to deposit one thousand dollars with the
State treasurer to secure a portion of the men recruited from the rebel States."
The amount of money raised by private
subscription, during the four years of the war, amounted in the aggregate to
eighteen thousand three hundred and eleven dollars and twenty two cents for the
enlistment of seventy six men, which was subsequently refunded by vote of the
town, at the rate of one hundred and twenty five dollars for each of the men
recruited.
Orleans furnished one hundred and seventy seven
men for the war, which was a surplus of twenty nine over and above all demands.
Three were commissioned officers. The amount of money appropriated and expended
by the town on account of the war, exclusive of State aid, was eighteen thousand
four hundred and ninety seven dollars and twenty cents ($18,497.20).
The amount raised and expended by the town for
State aid to soldiers' families during the four years of the war, but which was
afterwards refunded by the Commonwealth, was as follows :
In 1861, $12.00;
in 1862, $336.96;
in 1863, $1,109.77;
in 1864, $1,778.35;
in 1865, $1,093.20.
Total amount, $4,365.28.
The ladies of Orleans formed "a Soldiers' Aid
Society in September, 1862, which continued in active operation until April,
1865. They held about seventy meetings, to prepare articles for the soldiers.
They raised, in money, $621.08," which was increased fourfold by being
judiciously expended for material, that was made into articles of clothing. Many
boxes and barrels were filled with their contributions, " some of which were
sent to the soldiers in camp, some to the sick and wounded in hospitals, and
some to the prisoners in Libby Prison. As a sample of each, we give the contents
of one, sent Oct. 14, 1862, to the Sanitary Commission : 2 pillows, 1
under-shirt, 21 towels, 4 handkerchiefs, 21 shirts, 18 do., 53 pillow-cases, 3
boxes of lint, 1 bundle of pieces, 7 prs. slippers, 3 prs. drawers, 3 prs.
socks, 368 yards bandages, 9 dozen stump bandages, 3 dozen hand do., 13 dozen
comforters, "a few pamphlets,'' 10 sheets, 24 pillow-cases, 53 towels, 23 cotton
shirts, 75 pillows, 5 vests, 3 frock coats, 11 flannel under-shirts, 6 packages
(individuals), 1 bed quilt, 3 prs. drawers, 3 prs. slippers, 2 prs. pants, 7
prs. mittens, 29 prs. socks, 28 prs. flannel drawers, 1 pr. boots, 38
handkerchiefs, 51 white do., 25 colored do.
The society numbered one hundred and fifty one
members. The journal of their proceedings closes with the following words:
Provincetown
Incorporated June 14,1727. Population in 1860, 3,206; in 1865, 3,475. Valuation
in 1860, $1,263,-695 ; in 1865, $1,576,145.
The selectmen in 1861, 1862, and 1863, were
Robert Soper, Abraham Chapman, Simeon S. Gifford; in 1864, Simeon S. Gifford,
Silas S. Young, Lysander S. Paine; in 1865, Silas S. Young, Simeon S. Gifford,
Alexander Manuel.
The town clerk and town treasurer during all
the years of the war was Elisha Dyer.
1861.
The first legal town meeting, to act upon matters relating to the war, was held
on the 2d of May, at which it was voted to pay a sum of twenty dollars to every
able bodied man who should volunteer from Provincetown in either the army or
navy, to be paid on his departure from the town to join for service; also " the
sum of ten dollars a month for single men, and men having wives only, and
fifteen dollars a month to men having families, while in the service, which pay
shall begin at the time his government pay begins." At the same meeting the
following preamble and resolutions were read and adopted:
Whereas it has pleased God to give us the
grandest country on the globe, with the best government, as established by our
fathers, ever inhabited by mortals; and as it is satisfactorily ascertained that
a long cherished scheme has been entertained, by miserable miscreants, to
subvert this government to the most dastardly purposes of iniquity, destroying
the Union and the Constitution ; and as we regard this as an unprovoked,
barbarous, and sacrilegious attack upon the dearest rights and interests of the
American people, we denounce it as a villainous attempt to subvert laws and to
destroy a Constitution which we reverence, and which they have sworn to support:
we therefore
Resolve, That the loss of our liberty and
national honor would be a greater calamity than war, the loss of property, or of
life itself.
Resolved, That it is the duty of the Executive
to bring the whole power of the Government to crush out secession and rebellion,
and to put to an efficient end their disturbances; and that no favor or
compromise should be suffered, but upon the basis of unqualified submission of
those in rebellion.
Resolved, That we pledge to the National and
State Governments a hearty support of men and means, by which these ends may be
accomplished.
Resolved, That, if the wanton cruelties of
privateering are let loose upon our seamen, it will become our duty vigorously
to defend our rights and fearlessly to assail our foe, until, under our flag of
the stars and stripes, our vessels are allowed, unmolested, to float in every
sea.
Other votes were passed having for their object
home defence, which the exposed position of the town appeared to render
desirable. A committee of six were also appointed to assist in recruiting.
1862.
At a meeting held on the 22nd of July, it was voted to raise sixteen hundred
dollars, by taxation, " to pay bounties to persons who have become volunteer
soldiers of the United States;" also to raise and pay to volunteers having
families in Provincetown "a sum of money, in addition to that the town may be
reimbursed from the treasury of the Commonwealth for aid to families, equal in
amount to that which is reimbursed; and to volunteers who have not families or
persons dependent
on them the sum of fifty dollars a year during
their term of service." August 27th, The town voted " to assume the liability
of those individuals who have subscribed money for the payment of bounties to
volunteers for nine months' military service;" also voted to pay each volunteer
for nine months' service, when mustered in and credited to the quota of the
town, a bounty of two hundred dollars; also, to pay their families, and to those
who have none, fifty dollars additional in money. The treasurer was
authorized to borrow six thousand dollars for these purposes.
1863.
At a legal town meeting held on the 20th of July, the selectmen and John
Nickerson were appointed to procure arms from the State or the National
Government, and to do all such acts as may be necessary for the defence and
protection of the town against the attacks of the enemy. Two thousand dollars
were placed at the disposal of the committee. September 3d, The town
appropriated $5,469.82 for payment of soldiers' bounties, in compliance with
the 9th section of an act approved April 29, 1863; also voted, that the same
provision be made in aid of the families of men who may be drafted as is now
paid to the families of volunteers.
1864.
February 8th, The town voted to assume the payment of money contributed by
individuals to fill the quota of the town, under the last call of the President,
" provided any act of the Legislature legalizes the same/' April 12th, An act
having been passed, the town voted to reimburse to individuals the money they
had advanced, provided that the amount should not exceed one hundred and twenty
five dollars for each volunteer enlisted.
Provincetown must have furnished for the army
and navy about three hundred and fifty men, although the selectmen returned, in
1866, only two hundred and forty seven; as at the end of the war the town had
filled its quota on every call of the President, and had a surplus of fifty
seven men over and above all demands. Three were commissioned officers in the
military service. The whole amount of money appropriated and expended by the
town on account of the war, exclusive of State aid reimbursed by the
Commonwealth, was thirty seven thousand four hundred and fifty two dollars
($37,452.00).
The amount of money raised and expended for
State aid during the four years of the war, and which was afterwards reimbursed
by the Commonwealth, was as follows
In 1861, $57.54;
in 1862, $327.98;
in 1863, $775.21;
in 1864, $3,070.59;
in 1865, $3,136.92.
Total amount reimbursed, $7,368.24.
It will be observed, however, that Provincetown paid to the families of
volunteers double the amount reimbursed by the State.
The ladies of Provincetown organized a w
Soldiers' Aid Society" and a "Soldiers' Relief Society" in 1862. During the war,
the first named furnished clothing and other articles for the soldiers to the
value of $1,226.75, and the last named contributed to the value of $1,064.90.
Most of the articles were sent to the Sanitary and Christian Commissions, though
a part was sent direct to Lieutenant Colonel Ryder, a citizen of Provincetown,
of the Thirty third Regiment Massachusetts Volunteers.
Provincetown, which is situated on the extreme
end of Cape Cod, was one of the most exposed places on the coast. During the
war, earth-works were erected by the Government, which were garrisoned by a
company of volunteers.
Sandwich
Incorporated Sept. 3, 1639. Population in 1860, 4,479; in 1865, 4,105. Valuation
in 1860, $1,644,-433; in 1865,11,699,105.
The selectmen in 1861,1862, and 1863, were
Mason White, Seth B. Wing, Isaiah Fish; in 1864, H. G. O. Ellis, Seth B. Wing,
Isaiah Fish; in 1865, H. G. O. Ellis, Paul Wing, Isaiah Fish.
The town clerk and town treasurer in 1861,
1862, and 1863, was David C. Freeman; from June, 1863, and during 1864 and 1865,
David C. Percival.
The first legal town meeting, to act upon
matters relating to the war, was held on the 11th of May; at which Messrs.
Theodore Kern, Jonathan Leonard, Charles Southack, Benjamin F. Brown, and
Charles Dillingham were chosen a committee, " to see what action the town should
take in regard to war matters:.
The committee reported as follows :
First, That the treasurer of the town be
authorized, with the assent and at the discretion of the selectmen, to borrow a
sum not exceeding four thousand dollars, " in sums as shall be needed " for the
benefit of the families of those in this town who may enlist "in the service of
the Government, in defence of our constitutional liberties."
Second, That the money so borrowed shall be disbursed by the selectmen " in the
following manner:" w A man that leaves a wife shall receive two dollars a week
;. a wife and child, three dollars a week; and fifty cents a week for each
additional child under fourteen years of age."
Third, That the selectmen be authorized and
instructed to assist such families as are dependent upon any volunteer for their
support, to whom in their judgment the above rule does not apply. Fourth, That
the town furnish the military company of Sandwich, "when called for and
officially accepted, a suitable uniform."
The report was accepted. It was then voted that
all citizens of Sandwich " volunteering in companies in other towns, having
families, and also all persons from other towns volunteering in the Sandwich
company, having families, be included in the above appropriation; provided,
there shall not be an appropriation for them by the towns from which they came,
or in which our citizens have volunteered." Voted, that the families of
volunteers " receive their money once in two weeks;" also voted, " to raise five
hundred dollars to defray the expense of purchasing uniforms for the Sandwich
company." At a special meeting held on the 6th of July, it was voted "to ratify
and continue the above action of the town as allowed by act of May 23d, 1861."
1862.
At the annual town meeting held March 3d, a sufficient sum of money was
appropriated to continue the pay of State aid to the families of volunteers
during the year. A special town meeting was held on the 2d of August, at
which it was voted to pay a bounty of one hundred dollars to each volunteer who
enlists for three years' military service and is mustered in and credited to the
quota of the town, and fifty dollars additional to each man who shall enlist and
be credited within seven days. Another meeting was held on the 23d of
December, at which the selectmen were authorized to appoint persons to assist
them in recruiting volunteers, and extending the amount of bounty to each
volunteer to one hundred and fifty dollars. December 9th, The town voted to
enlist volunteers for three years' service and not for nine months, and to pay
to each volunteer for that term a bounty of two hundred dollars.
1863.
Several " war meetings " were held during this year: recruiting, the payment of
bounties to volunteers, and aid to their families were continued; but no special
action was taken by the town, in its corporate capacity, in relation to the war.
1864.
A legal town meeting was held on the 9th of April, at which seventy eight
hundred dollars were appropriated w to fill the quotas of the town " under the
calls of the President for men, Oct. 17, 1863, and Feb. 1, 1864.
Mr. Colly, the town clerk, writes:
" I have sent you all the votes of importance
relating to the war. Many other votes were passed, and much excitement existed
during these years of trial; but they were so similar to the within, that to
repeat them would be useless."
Sandwich must have furnished for the army and
navy about four hundred men, although the return made by the selectmen in 1866
gives the number of two hundred and ninety two. At the end of the war, after
having filled its quota upon every call of the President for volunteers,
Sandwich had a surplus of two, over and above all demands. Twelve were
commissioned officers in the military service, the most distinguished of whom
was Charles Chip man, Major of the Twenty ninth Massachusetts regiment, who was
mortally wounded Aug. 7, 1864, and died the next day. The whole amount of money
appropriated and expended by the town on account of the war, exclusive of State
aid, was thirty three thousand and eighty one dollars and ninety nine cents
($33,081.99).
The amount raised and expended by the town
during the four years of the war, for aid to the families of volunteers, and
afterwards repaid by the Commonwealth, was as follows:
In 1861, $1,852.71;
in 1862, $5,018.31;
in 1863, $5,742.63;
in 1864, $4,874.91;
in 1865, $2,450.00.
Total amount in four years, $19,938.56.
The ladies of Sandwich " were actively engaged
in their part of the work, but am unable to give you details of the matter."
Truro
Incorporated July 16, 1709. Population in 1860, 1,583; in 1865, 1,448. Valuation
in 1860, $381,429; in 1865, $361,717.
The selectmen in 1861 and 1862 were Solomon
Davis, William T. Newcomb, Asa Sellew; in 1863, Abraham C. Small, Solomon Davis,
Amasa Paine; in 1864, John Kenny, James
Collins, Nathan K. Whorf; in 1865, John Kenny,
James Collins, Sears Rich.
The town clerk and town treasurer during all of
these years was Samuel C. Paine.
1861.
No action appears to have been taken by the town, in its corporate character,
during this year in regard to matters relating to the war.
1862.
At a legal town meeting held on the 25th of July, the following resolution was
adopted by a unanimous vote :
Resolved, That there be allowed and paid by the
town to each of the dependents of the four volunteers who have enlisted to make
up the quota of Truro, the sum of one dollar a week, in addition to the sum
allowed by the State, so long as the men are in the service of the United
States; provided it shall not exceed the sum of twelve dollars a month for the
dependents of any one volunteer.
The selectmen were authorized to draw " orders
on the town treasury for the sum of one hundred dollars, to be paid to each and
any to the number of four of the inhabitants of Truro, who, as the quota of said
town, may volunteer and be duly mustered into the volunteer service of the
United States." August 30th, Voted, that there be paid " to each single man "
the sum of two hundred dollars, who shall volunteer to make up the quota of nine
months men; " and to each married man who shall thus volunteer the sum of one
hundred dollars; and to the dependents of said married man an additional sum
equal to that granted by the State." December 2d, Voted, "that the town of Truro
make all the effort that is in its power to raise volunteers to fill its quota
of nine months men for the military service of the United States," and that
Frederick A. Gross, Amasa Paine, and A. H. Newton "be a committee to draft some
plan for raising the aforesaid volunteers." This committee reported that the
selectmen be authorized to offer a bounty of two hundred dollars to any of the
citizens of the town who would volunteer to make up said quota, and in case they
fail to procure the required number within a reasonable time, then they may use
their own discretion in obtaining them elsewhere. The report was accepted.
"Voted, that we, as a town, disapprove of a draft."
1863.
February 4th, The following resolutions were adopted:
Resolved, At this town meeting, that we do take
means and measures to bring home the remains of Edward Winslow, one of our
soldiers who went forth in the defence of his country and to maintain one of the
best governments on earth.
Resolved, That the selectmen be instructed to
cause the remains of Edward Winslow to be removed to this town at the town's
expense.
It was also voted to pay the widow and orphan
children of Edward Winslow a gratuity of one hundred dollars. April 6th, "Voted,
that the town assume the responsibility that those persons took upon themselves,
of paying a bounty to Samuel Knowles and Hezekiah P. Hughes, in July last, as
volunteers." August 7th, Voted, to pay the same State aid to the families of men
who may be drafted " and actually enter the service of the United States as has
been furnished to the families of volunteers." December 11th, A committee of
twenty five was chosen to assist the selectmen in recruiting volunteers to fill
the quota of the town; also voted, " to sanction the doings of the selectmen in
using all discretionary means in their power for raising volunteers, and that
the town be responsible for their compensation."
1864.
February 4th, Voted, "to allow town aid to the dependents of volunteers who have
enlisted in our town under the call of the President, Oct. 17, 1863, in amount
to what is received by them for State aid ; also to the widows, like town
aid." April 25th, The selectmen were authorized to pay a bounty of one
hundred and twenty five dollars to each volunteer who shall enlist prior to
March 1, 1865, for three years, and be credited to the town.
Truro furnished one hundred and forty four men
for the war, which was a surplus of fourteen over and above all demands. One was
a commissioned officer. The whole amount of money appropriated and expended by
the town on account of the war, exclusive of State aid to soldiers' families,
was four thousand seven hundred and eighty six dollars and ten cents
($4,786.10). In addition to this sum, four thousand dollars were contributed by
private citizens of their own means to pay bounties and encourage recruiting.
The amount of money raised for the payment of
aid to soldiers' families, and afterwards refunded by the State, was as follows
: In 1861, $6.00; in 1862, $383.46; in 1863, $877.96; in 1864, $802.80; in 1865,
$258.58. Total amount in four years, $2,328.81.
Wellfleet.
Incorporated June 16, 1763. Population in 1860, 2,322 ; in 1865, 2,298.
Valuation in 1860, $617,596 ; in 1865, $700,165.
The selectmen from February, 1861, to February,
1864, were Edward Hopkins, Robert G. Paine, Jeremiah Hawes. In 1864, Mr. Hawes
retired from office; and Jonathan Chipman was elected in his place, who with the
others remained in office until February, 1865.
The town clerk and town treasurer during all
the years of the war was Noah Swett.
1861.
Several members of the Third Regiment Massachusetts Militia, which left the
State April 17th and arrived at Fortress Monroe, Va., on the 20th, belonged to
Wellfleet. On
the ?? of May, a meeting was held, at which a
vigilance committee was appointed; and a vote was passed to request the Governor
to furnish arms for a military company then being
organized in the town. June 3d, The town
appropriated seven hundred dollars, subject to the order of the Governor, " to
sustain the credit of the State," and three hundred dollars
" for the benefit of Wellfleet soldiers then at
the front."
1862.
July, Voted, to pay a bounty of one hundred dollars to each volunteer for three
years' service, when mustered in and credited to the quota of the town, and aid
not to exceed twelve dollars a month to each of their families. August 14th,
Voted, to pay a bounty of two hundred dollars to each of seven
At this time a large proportion of the young
men belonging to Wellfleet were engaged in sea servicemen who will enlist for
three years to complete the quota of the town.
1863.
November 24th, A committee to recruit volunteers to fill the quota of the town
under the pending call of the President was elected, and twenty five hundred
dollars were
appropriated to pay the expenses.
1864.
April 16th, The bounty to volunteers for three years' service was fixed at one
hundred and twenty five dollars, and the treasurer was authorized to borrow
money to pay the same. Several other meetings were held, at which money was
raised for war purposes, and measures adopted to fill the contingent of the
town.
Wellfleet furnished two hundred and twenty one
men for the war, which was a surplus of twenty five over and above all demands.
None were commissioned officers in the military service. The whole amount of
money appropriated and expended by the town on account of the war, exclusive of
State aid to soldiers' families, was eighteen thousand three hundred and twenty
four dollars and sixty seven cents ($18,324.67). Mr. Swett, the town clerk,
wrote to us, " that there was contributed from public and private sources about
twenty thousand dollars for the prosecution of the war. Many of the older
citizens procured substitutes to represent them in the field."
The amount of money raised and expended by the
town for State aid to the families of soldiers, and reimbursed by the
Commonwealth, was as follows:
In 1861, $27.28;
in 1862, $271.25;
in 1863, $161.00;
in 1864, $297.20;
in 1865, $382.00.
Total in four years, $1,138.73.
The ladies of Wellfleet established a Soldiers'
Aid Society early in the war, to work for the sick and wounded in hospitals. At
the end of the war they had an unexpended balance in their treasury, which was
given in aid of erecting "a beautiful marble monument to the men of Wellfleet
who had died in defence of their country in the military and naval service."
Yarmouth
Incorporated Sept. 3, 1639. Population in 1860, 2,752; in 1865, 2,465. Valuation
in 1860, $1,162,-120; in 1865, $1,440,641.
The selectmen in 1861 were Elisha Taylor,
Thatcher Taylor, Zadock Crowell; in 1862 and 1863, the same; in 1864, Zadock
dwell, Elisha Taylor, Samuel Matthews; 1865, Samuel Matthews, Braddock
Matthews, Zadock Crowell.
The town clerk and town treasurer from 1844,
and all through the Rebellion to the present time, was William P. Davis.
1861. The first legal town meeting, to consider
matters relating to the Rebellion, was held on the 2d of May; at which the
following resolutions were presented by Charles F. Swift, and unanimously
adopted:
Resolved,
1st, That we feel duly mindful of the sacrifices that were made by our fathers
to establish the Constitution, and perpetuate the Union of the States, and that
we remember with especial pride and pleasure the patriotic and efficient part
taken by this ancient town in the great struggle which resulted in the formation
of our existing institutions of government.
2d, That, as citizens of Yarmouth, in common
with patriotic men everywhere in the country, we feel a profound interest in the
struggle now convulsing the land; that our earnest sympathies are entirely with
the administration in its efforts to sustain the Government, and defend the flag
of the nation; and that, as in days of yore, we are ready to contribute our
personal efforts and material aid to uphold and maintain the national honor
untarnished by sea and land.
3d, That, inasmuch as the head of the rebel
organization of the South has indicated his design to send out upon the ocean
piratical crafts for the purposes of spoliation and plunder upon the commerce of
the country, thus periling the lives and property of those who follow the seas
for a livelihood, it is especially incumbent upon the citizens of this
community, who have so much at stake, to lend efficient and cheerful aid in
bringing these pests of the ocean to condign punishment ; and we hereby
recommend that the best energies of our people be especially directed to
strengthening the maritime arm of our national service, to which their pursuits
and training so peculiarly fit them to lend efficiency and strength.
The town voted to give each citizen who should
enlist, either in the army or navy, twenty five dollars a month while in service
; and five dollars additional to his wife, if he has one, and three dollars
additional to each child under fifteen years of age.
Three thousand dollars was voted to equip each
volunteer who should enlist in the military service.
1862.
July 3rd, Frederick Dunbar, Matthew C. Hallet, N. C. Fowler, E. B. Pemler,
Isaiah Sherman, and Theodore Drew, were appointed to procure enlistment's, and
to pay each volunteer for three years' service a bounty of one hundred dollars
"when mustered in, and one hundred dollars when honorably discharged, and a
further sum of fifteen dollars upon his enlisting. The treasurer was authorized
to borrow not exceeding thirty five hundred dollars "for the foregoing
purposes." Seven persons immediately enlisted. August 14th, Voted, to pay
a bounty of one hundred and twenty five dollars to each volunteer enlisting to
the credit of the town for nine months' service. The treasurer was authorized
to borrow money. December 4th, The select men were authorized to pay a bounty
of one hundred and twenty five dollars to each volunteer enlisting to the
credit of the town, and more if necessary." The treasurer was authorized to
borrow money to pay bounties.
1863.
December 1st, The town chose Nathaniel C. Fowler, Oliver Gorham, and David
Matthews to co-operate with the selectmen in raising the town's quota of
volunteers under the late call of the President for more men. The selectmen
were authorized to draw upon the town treasurer " for such reasonable sums as
they shall deem necessary for recruiting purposes." December 10th, Freeman
Howes was added to the above committee.
1864.
April 22nd, Voted, to raise six thousand dollars, " to pay each recruit who
enlisted to fill the quota of the town under the last two calls of the President
one hundred and twenty five dollars each." One thousand dollars was also
voted to pay bounties to men who had enlisted to the credit of the town and had
received no bounty. The treasurer was authorized to borrow money to procure
volunteers " under any call which the President might issue." August 6th, The
selectmen were authorized to deposit fifteen hundred dollars with the State
treasurer " to procure recruits." December 19th, Voted, that the selectmen be
authorized to procure recruits " in anticipation of a call for five hundred
thousand men."
Yarmouth must have furnished about two hundred
and fifty men for the war, which was a surplus of five over and above all
demands, none of whom were commissioned officers in the military service. There
were fifteen who were volunteer officers in the navy, and three of the principal
pilots on the South Carolina coast were citizens of Yarmouth. The whole amount
of money appropriated and expended by the town for war purposes, exclusive of
State aid to soldiers' families, was seventeen thousand and seventeen dollars
($17,017). This does not include $3,592.10, voluntarily contributed by private
citizens to pay bounties.
The amount of money raised and expended by the
town for aid to soldiers' families, and afterwards reimbursed by the
Commonwealth, was as follows:
In 1861, 00;
in 1862, $506.43;
in 1863, $1,475.04;
in 1864, $1,309.93 ;
in 1865, $1,223.31.
Total in four years, $4,514.71.
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