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

The town-clerk in 1861 was H. E. Paine; in 1862, 1863, 1864, and 1865, W. C. Wales. The town-treasurer in 1861, 1862, 1863, and 1864 was Rufus P. Kingman; in 1865, Oakes S. Soule.

1861. The first town-meeting to act upon matters relating to the war was held on the 29th of April, at which five thousand dollars were appropriated to clothe and equip volunteers belonging to North Bridgewater and to assist their families. Benjamin Kingman, George W. Bryant, H. W. Robinson, William F. Brett, and Jonathan White were chosen to act with the selectmen in the expenditure of the money, which the treasurer was authorized to borrow. On the 22d of July an additional five thousand dollars were voted for the same general objects.

1862. March 10th, The town voted ‘to pay the families of volunteers such sums as the selectmen may order.’ David L. Cowell, Esq., presented a series of patriotic resolutions, of which this is an abstract: First, ‘that earth has never seen a holier war than that now waged by the United States to put down the Rebellion;’ ‘that it would be criminal in the highest degree if we failed to give to it all the assistance in our power;’ second, ‘we hail the recent legislation in Congress as an earnest determination to crush the rebellion;’ third, ‘that North Bridgewater heartily responds to the call made by the President for more men;’ fourth, ‘that a bounty of one hundred dollars be paid to each volunteer who shall enlist in the military service to fill the quota of the town;’ fifth, calls upon the Government to ‘pursue a vigorous policy and make war in earnest, until the last rebel has laid down his arms and acknowledged paramount allegiance to the United States;’ sixth, recommends that the Government call upon every loyal man, ‘without distinction of complexion or race, within the rebel States, to rally around the flag of the Union, and give freedom and protection to all who obey the call,’ and the neglect to do so ‘would be a stupendous blunder, unparalleled in the history of the world.’

1863. At a meeting held on the 9th of March the town