Military Camp Ladies

Historically armies have relied on civilian men and women to provide services not normally provides by the army itself. Some of these services included, but were not limited to wagoner, black smith, wheel wright, laundress, sew, cook, nurse, sexual service, and selling sundries and liquor. Armies had an uneasy relationship with these camp followers as they made movement and logistics more difficult and needed protection, but they also provided necessary services for the army. Many had official paid positions. Camp followers often out numbered the army itself, especially during the Revolutionary War. General Washington allowed large numbers of camp followers who were wives and family of his soldiers. Had he not allowed them to camp and travel with the army, he would have lost many of his best soldiers to desertion as loyalty to wives was stronger than their loyalty to the revolution. During the Civil War both Union and Confederate Armies had camp followers, but their numbers were fewer than during the Revolutionary War.