Scope and Content: To encourage support of volunteer soldiers’ families during the Civil War, Congress, through Acts of 1861, c 9, s 12 (July 22, 1861) and Acts of 1861-62, c 4 (Dec. 24, 1861) established a system whereby a portion of a soldier’s pay could be transmitted to parties designated by him. Implemented on the state level in Massachusetts by St 1862, c 62 (Mar. 11, 1862) and St 1863, c 58 (Mar. 3, 1863), the  treasurer was authorized to distribute pay and allowances on behalf of soldiers through the treasurers of the appropriate city or town. –As directed by law, President Lincoln, on recommendation of Gov. John Andrew, appointed Henry Edwards, Frank B. Fay, and David Wilder, Jr., as allotment commissioners for Massachusetts in 1862; they were to visit Massachusetts troops and encourage them to participate in the program. Allotment rolls were made to authorize deductions from soldier’s bimonthly pay. State bounty payments were also similarly distributed through the state treasurer (see: Massachusetts. Treasury Office. Civil War volunteer payment cards ((M-Ar)415X))
Notes: Formerly subseries (2) of: General outgoing correspondence ((M-Ar)18X)
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