War Department sets generous cash bounties for veterans who reenlist in the Union Army

With manpower becoming critical to Union operations, the War Department introduced the designation "Veteran Volunteers," that included a substantial cash bounty, to encourage men who had already served during the war as volunteers and had completed their enlistments.  Returning veterans were to receive a month's pay in advance and then $402 paid over three years or the end of the war, whichever came first.  Those who died during service could designate "legal heirs" to whom the full amount would be paid. (By John Osborne)