April 26, 1861, was the earliest legal date the Town of Medway could call a Town Meeting after the attack on Fort Sumner, and the call to arms of 75,000 men for three months by President Lincoln. On that date, a committee of twelve were appointed to recommend emergency measures  that should be taken by Medway to support the war effort.

They put forward fourteen resolutions that formed and funded a militia company. They defined what actions the State and Nation had taken. They also recommended that a Military Commission of  nine be selected to guide the town through its war efforts. That commission was formed of men from a generation that had never been engaged in a war, nor had ever planned for one. The wisdom and compassion from that committee were remarkable. They anticipated contingencies and planned for aid to families and soldiers that were unimaginable at that time. Continue reading →

There have been countless books written on the subject of the Civil War. Many have described the details of battles and their leaders. This book is not intended to define the details of battles or depict their leaders. Instead, it is the story of two small companies of Sharpshooters from Massachusetts, and their exploits during that war.

Most units from the Civil War had their histories written soon after the war was over. The histories of the two companies of Andrew Sharpshooters were never written. The Sharpshooters were often used by other organizations, as their special skills of long-range shooting were needed. In some cases their histories were absorbed in those organizations. Continue reading →

Years ago this author realized Framingham’s Civil War history had never been chronicled. Framingham’s tercentennial approached so he researched and wrote “Civil War Service of the Men and Women of Framingham, Massachusetts 1861 – 1865 a Memorial History” That book was sold out in a two-week period, but remained in demand. He later began a revised edition and titled it “Framingham’s Civil War Service, A History And Roster” This book concisely details’, with relevant illustrations, and a comprehensive index, the plight of the town of Framingham during that national cataclysm.

This book records when the town created a militia, long before Fort Sumter was attacked. It details how the town called its first meeting in May of 1861, and organized its War Committee, of nine citizens. It provides information regarding the States’ quota of 407 men from Framingham. It shows how that quota would be reduced to 386 men through exemptions, and that Framingham provided 530 men for the war effort. Continue reading →