Sentence:  It was in the army to which <WSD>bounties</WSD> were thus given to privates, that the memorialists were officers; and gallant officers the history of that war amply proves they were. If the soldiers of that army and even the heirs of those who volunteered their services for a given and short period, but who were killed or died in service, had such large recognized claims on the <WSD>bounty</WSD> of the nation, it is not, [...] easily to be perceived why their officers, [...] have not claims equally strong. 
Meaning of the word marked with <WSD> tags:  Money paid to a person when becoming a member of the armed forces, or as a reward for some service therein.