The first action taken in reference to raising money for soldiers in the great Rebellion was at a town-meeting held Sept. 3, 1863. It was then voted

"That the township be authorized to borrow any sum not to exceed $14,100 as a fund from which to pay a bounty of $300 to each volunteer or drafted man accepted and mustered into the army of the United States under the pending draft."

The quota of the town under the call was 47 men. Dec. 22, 1863, the committee was authorized to borrow $12,000 as a bounty fund, and again, at a special town-meeting held May 31, 1864, the authorities were authorized to borrow a sum of money not to exceed $9600, to be expended in procuring substitutes or the commutation of drafted men, the sum to be raised by a special poll-tax upon each and every person liable to draft and upon the property of the township. June 1, 1864, it was

"Resolved by the town committee not to raise money for drafted men, as, the majority of the vote being so small, it was thought not advisable to borrow money upon the credit of the township."

At a special town-meeting, Jan. 21, 1865, held to devise ways and means to fill the quota of Bridgewater, the town committee was instructed to issue bonds of the township in such amounts, and payable at such time, as they may deem proper and necessary, to be applied in obtaining volunteers or substitutes to fill the quota. A poll-tax of $10 was ordered on all persons liable to the draft. Application was made to the Legislature for an act authorizing the laying of a special tax, not exceeding $20,000, to assist in raising the quota of the township under the call of the President for 300,000 men.

Sept. 3, 1865, the committee authorized the assessors of the township to levy a tax for $30,000, to be applied to liquidate the debt incurred for payment of soldiers.

April 26, 1866, at a special meeting for the purpose of discussion and consideration on the subject of issuing township bonds, it was

"Resolved to lease bonds for the purpose of reimbursing those persons who put volunteer or substitutes for drafted men into the army or navy of the United States, and who paid for the men an put In, or who paid $300 under the exemption act, such bonds to be placed In the hands of F. J. Frelinghuysen as trustee, to be held by him until final action be taken by the government as to reimbursing townships for moneys expended in the late war."

The amount due was $19,374. A detailed list of the number of men sent out from the township and the amount paid each was sent to the comptroller of the State, a copy of which is here given:

" SOMERVILLE, Oct. 28,1865.
" To CAPT. WILLIAM N. SHIPMAN:
" Dean SIR, The following statement of volunteers furnished under the last three calls of the general government by the township of Bridgewater, county of Somerset, and the amount paid to men under such calls, is respectfully submitted. This statement is made from such data as are in possession of the present committee.

The call of August, 1863, for volunteers, of which a draft was made In May, 18", Thirty-fifth New Jersey Volunteers, 79 each $800 each $23,700
Call of July, 1864, 76 at $3434.57 each 33,027.32
Call Do.. 19,1864, to fill vacancies, 84 at $698.16 each 58,045
Total $116,372.32"