Military Involvement


Civil War era folding camp chair, 1861

Civil War era folding camp chair, 1861
Item 100543   info
Bethel Historical Society

Bethel made every effort to encourage more people to enlist to meet the town's quotas for soldiers.

In 1863, the town voted to raise $2,000 for families of volunteers, and $50 was paid to each drafted man and conscript.

Money was raised every year at town meetings while the war dragged on.

Bounties for soldiers were high enough that some people attempted to enlist to collect the cash, and then fled to avoid serving.

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