CHAPTER VII. MILITARY HISTORY (Concluded). The Civil War.-The Election of Lincoln and the Fall of Sumter.-The first Call for Three-Months’ Men.-Response from the Cape Towns.-War Meetings.-Subsequent Calls.-Bounties.-Enlistments.-Return of the Volunteers.-G. A. R. Posts.-Mon- uments. HE news of the bombardment of Fort Sumter, in April, 1861, T greatly affected and changed the feelings of the political parties of the Cape; and when the surrender of the fort by Major Anderson, on the 13th, was announced, the feeling was almost unani- mous in favor of crushing the rebellion, the method remaining the only party question. Of the citizens of the Cape large numbers were engaged in various pursuits on the sea; but those at home recognized the issue as inevitable and were at once determined in their action. On the morning of Monday, April 15th, appeared the proclamation of Abraham Lincoln, calling for seventy-five thousand men for three months, to suppress the rebellion. Its effect was like an electric spark in quickening the resolution and action of the men of this county. The president’s estimate was short of the necessities of the movement, as the history of the war abundantly proved; but to his calm and judi- cious patriotism a grateful nation has erected enduring monuments of granite, and engraved his deeds upon lasting pages of history. The first official act of this Commonwealth relating to the war was the recommendation by Governor Andrew, in January, 1861, that the adjutant general ascertain with accuracy the number of officers and men of the volunteer militia of the state who would instantly respond to any call of the president of the United States for troops. January 23, 1861, the legislature passed a resolution tendering to the president the aid of the Commonwealth in enforcing the laws; and FebruarylFith an act was approved providing for the retention in service of all mili- tia organizations then existing, and for the formation, “as the public exigency may require,” of other companies by the municipal officers of cities and the selectmen of towns. On April 3, 1861, the first ap- propriation made by the legislature for war purposes was a sum of twenty-five thousand dollars to equip two thousand soldiers for active service. In May of that year the legislature, before its adjournment, gave full power to the governor and his council to issue scrip. or cer- tificates of debt, in various sums not to exceed seven million dollars, to be expended for the government: and gave authority to towns to raise money by taxation for war purposes, for which the state would reimburse them to a limited extent. I,et such patriotism, manifested thus early in the Old Bay State, be forever on record for the benefit of the present and unborn generations ! Her militia were first in the field. On the 15th of April, 1861, a telegram was received from Sen- ator Wilson at Washington, requesting twenty companies to be sent to the national capital to act in defense of that city. The request was immediately complied with by sending state militia, whose military history is foreign to this chapter. The first seven companies enlisted in the state under the call of the president, which were subsequently the first mustered into the service of the United States for the term of three years, were the nucleus of what was actually the first, but misleadingly numbered the Twenty-ninth Regular M. V. These seven companies were those of Captain Chamberlain, raised in Lynn, April 18th; Captains Tyler and Clarke, raised in Boston, April 19th; Captain Chipman, Sandwich, April 20th; Captains Leach, Barnes and Doten, raised respectively in East Bridgewater, East Boston and Plymouth, about April 20th. Thus the Cape raised the fourth of the first seven companies enlisted in Massachusetts within four days after the call. With only a few hours’ notice, a very large meeting was held Sat- urday evening, April 20, at Sandwich, ia to devise means and ways to raise a company of troops for the defence of the country.” Theodore Kern called the meeting to order, Dr. Jonathan Leonard was chosen to preside, and E. S. LVhittemore was chosen to act as secretary. Dur- ing the evening $626 was pledged toward a bounty for the men who should enlist. A committee of nine was chosen to thoroughly canvass the town and raise more bounty money-sufficient to pay twenty dol- lars to each man. Three men were appointed to wait upon the gov- ernor and offer the services of the company. On the sixth of May the company were ready for commands from Governor Andrew, and on the eighth proceeded to Boston, The election of officers of this com- pany was presided over by the selectmen of the town of Sandwich, and the following list of commissioned officers may be pointed to as the first from Barnstable county: Charles Chipman, captain: Charles Brady, first lieutenant: Henry A. Kern, second lieutenant: Alfred E. Smith, third lieutenant; James H. Xtherton, fourth lieutenant; and the company adopted the name **Sandwich Guards.” This company was at once sent to Fortress Nonroe. and formed Company D in the Third regiment of the militia. In July, lS61, it was made part of the Massachusetts Battalion, and in December of the same year was em- .\lII.IT.\I:I’ HISTORY. 86 braced in the Twenty-ninth Nassachusetts Infantry. This valiant company participated in the battles of Fair Oaks, Gaines’ Mills, Peach Orchard, Savage Station, Malvern Hill, Centerville, South Mountain, Antietam, Fredericksburg, and others. The first special town meeting of Sandwich for war purposes was held May 11, 1861, at which four thousand dollars was voted for the support of the families of those who had enlisted, and five hundred dollars to uniform the first company accepted from the town. The town furnished, according to the report of its selectmen, 292 men for the army-exceeding the several quotas by two men. Twelve of its men were commissioned officers. The money expended was $33,081.99, besides $19,93&X for state aid. The other towns of the county also called special town meetings, or later ratified the action of their selectmen. Concerning \-armouth’s action, Hon. Charles F. Swift says: “ The part taken by the town in the war of the rebellion is briefly summa- rized. Informal meetings were held during the summer and fall of 1%X, in which material aid for the troops in the field was provided for, volunteering encouraged and hospital supplies sent forward. May 2, 1862, the first legal town meeting was held. James B. Cracker was chosen moderator, and a series of resolutions, presented by Charles F. Swift, adopted. These pledged the aid of the town to the govern- ment, and recommended especially volunteering for the navy, as the especial department of the service adapted to our people. July 2d, a town meeting was held to procure enlistments, D. G. Eldridge, mod- erator. Three years’ men were offered one hundred dollars on being mustered in and one hundred dollars when honorably discharged. The town’s quota was filled in a few days. Xugust 14th a bounty of $125 each was offered by the town to nine months‘ men. December 1, 1863, a meeting was called to aid in the enlistment of ‘ 300,UOO more ’ troops, Charles F. Swift, moderator. Oliver Gorham, N. C. Fowler, David Matthews and isubsequently) Freeman Howes were appointed a committe to co-operate with the selectmen in filling the quota. April 24, 1804, :t meeting was held to aid in filling the town quota ‘under the two last calls of the President,’ C. I;. Swift, moderator. At this meeting $12.5 was voted to each recruit, and June 1st it was announced that the quota was filled, through the expenditure of two thousand four hundred dollars by the citizens’ committee. Under the last call for troops citizens’ meetings were held in July; $325 being offered for recruits, and three hundred dollars paid to those who had furnished substitutes. The collapse of the rebellion rendered further effort use- less. Tarmouth furnished 2.50 men for the army and navy, five over all demands. There were fifteen volunteer officers in the navy and three pilots from this town. The expenditures of the town for war purposes was $17,017, besides $3,592.10 voluntarily contributed by in- dividuals, in all, $20,609.10. The sum of $4,514.71 was expended in aid of soldiers’ families.” Provincetown had the first special town meeting May 2, 1561, at which strong resolutions were passed and ample provisions made for the enlistment of troops. Several meetings were held during the war; the contributions of the citizens for filling quotas were reimbursed, and the town sent to the service fifty-seven men more than were called. Three were commissioned officers in the service. The num- ber reported by the selectmen was 247; but the number much exceeded that. The whole amount of money raised was $37,452, and for state aid, which was reimbursed, $7,368.24. It is also a fact that Province- town paid to the families of volunteers double the amount reimbursed. The ladies of the town organized, in 1562, a Soldiers’ Aid Society, which contributed $2,291.65 in money and clothing. The exposure of this extreme portion of the Cape induced the government to erect earthworks, which were garrisoned by a company of volunteers. Barnstable commenced raising troops early, and held its first special town meeting &lay 10, 1861. At this meeting liberal bounties were offered, promises were made for the support of soldiers’ families, and money was placed at the disposal of the governor for the assist- ance of the troops of the state.