Reprinted from an article written by
Susan Lyons Hughes, Kentucky Historical Society
Difficult at it may be for some of us to accept, Civil War reenacting offers very few opportunities for females to participate in a military context. That's because during the Civil War itself, the military establishment did not offer many opportunities for females to contribute to the war effort. The official position of both governments was to deny females the chance of serving in any capacity, although this position was sometimes gotten around and there were some females who were present in and around the armies of both sides serving in semi-official roles. That being the historical reality, female reenactors who wish a more active role in a military context at reenactments must oftentimes research long and hard to find an accurate and appropriate impression.
One such impression that may be suitable for some is that of a vivandiere. (The word comes from the French, "vivand," - food.) While not a common sight among Civil War armies, there is enough documentation of vivandieres to justify the impression at some events, particular for educational and interpretive purposes. Before adopting the impression of a vivandiere, there is a great deal of research and preparation to be done. The following comments are meant to provide a brief historical background on vivandieres and their role in the American Civil War.
Vivandieres had their origin during the Napoleonic period in the French army. Army commanders were authorized to appoint one vivandiere or cantiniere (the terms are in effect interchangeable) per regiment. The duties of the vivandiere included selling food and drink to the troops, serving as a kind of sutler. The job of nursing ill or wounded soldiers fell naturally to these women on campaign. By the close of the Napoleonic Wars, vivandieres were firmly established in the French army and in the armies of the French allies.
Vivandieres of the Napoleonic armies wore no established uniform, but were distinguished by a cask containing spirits. Some army commanders took the initiative to authorize uniforms for vivandieres, and in many cases these were similar to the uniforms of the field music of the regiment, with the addition of a skirt worn over trousers, and, often, a white apron.
Vivandieres remained an established part of French armies until after the Franco-Prussian War in 1871-1872. The earliest recorded photographs of vivandieres date from the Crimean War,1 and it is probable that images from that war were responsible for popularizing many of the French-inspired uniforms and customs in this country, including Zouave and chausseur uniforms and vivandieres in the United States.
At the outbreak of the American Civil War, many regiments were organized as independent companies of troops, raised locally. Some of these companies selected their own uniforms and accoutrements without regard to regular army practice. Some of these regiments selected a local lady to serve as "the daughter of the regiment," the American equivalent to the French vivandiere.
Calculating the exact number of women who served in this capacity is difficult, if not impossible. Because the presence of vivandieres was not sanctioned by the military establishment of either army, women who served as vivandieres are rarely mentioned in official records. Only in regimental histories, post-war records, and personal accounts do their names and identities emerge. In any case, the total number of women who served in this capacity is quite small.
The only documented image of a Confederate vivandiere of which this author is aware is in a much reprinted photograph of Wheat's Louisiana Tigers in New Orleans in 18612 . The lady pictured wears a uniform similar to that of a French Infantry of the Line cantiniere in 1854, consisting of full Zouave trousers, short but full skirt, short jacket, plumed hat, and apron3. She is pictured dispensing a drink from a cask.
There is more documentation of vivandieres serving with Union regiments, and many served with Zouave regiments (the 114th Pennsylvania and the 5th New York, for example). Vivandieres seem to have been a more common sight during the first two years of the war, when fighting was sporadic and the armies spent much time in camps. As the war progressed and campaigns covered longer distances there is less evidence of vivandieres remaining with the army. Some of the most well known vivandieres were Mary Tepi of Collis' Zouaves4, Kady Brownell of the 1st (later 5th) Rhode Island5, Anna Etheridge of the 3rd Michigan6, and Eliza Wilson and Hannah Ewbank of the 5th and 7th Wisconsin regiments, respectively7. Less well-known was Ella Gibson, daughter of the 49th Ohio8 and Sarah Taylor of the 1st (Loyal) Tennessee9 regiments, whose presence is documented only in personal accounts and newspapers of the period. A few more remained anonymous, appearing in cartes de visite and other photographs without identification.
Uniforms of vivandieres varied from regiment to regiment. All had in common a knee-length skirt worn over full trousers, a tunic or jacket, hat, and some military trim. This style of costume was very similar to the bathing and gymnastic costumes of the period and was suitable for the outside exercise required of vivandieres who lived and marched with their regiments. There was a great deal of variation in trim and materials because there was no standardization of uniform for this non-official post. Sarah Taylor, the daughter of the 1st Tennessee (US) was described as wearing "a neat blue chapeau...bearing at her side a highly-finished regulation sword, and silver-mounted pistols in her belt...She wore a blue blouse and was armed with pistols, sword and rifle" at Camp Dick Robinson in Kentucky in 186110. Eliza Wilson of the 5th Wisconsin appeared in a soldier's letter wearing clothes of such pattern as the military (not millinery) board have ordered for nurses in the army, which is the Turkish costume - the color is bright brown; no crinoline; dress reaches half way between the knee and ankle; upper sleeve loose, gathered at the wrist; pantalettes the same color, wide but gathered tight around the ankle, black hat with plumes or feathers of same color; feet dressed in morocco boots11. Though non-essential to fighting regiments, vivandieres performed some important functions. The most important was as a nurse. With her cask of spirits or canteen of water, she gave a wounded or sick soldier immediate attention Although no instance has been documented of a vivandiere carrying a musket and performing as a rifleman, some were armed, probably for self-protection. Images of Mary Tebe and Anna Etheridge depict those ladies armed with pistols, though it is doubtful that many vivandieres were armed quite so well as Sarah Taylor. Among the deeds of valor performed by vivandieres were Kady Brownell's actions at the battle of New Bern, where, carrying the colors into battle, Kady ran with the flag to the center of the field to show the Union troops that the 5th Rhode Island was not the enemy12. Ana Etheridge received the Kearney Cross in recognition for her valor at Chancellorsville13, as did Mary Tepi14. Often the vivandiere was the wife of a soldier or the daughter of an officer, and the "daughter of the regiment" commanded the respect of soldiers in ways that other types of camp followers could not. A soldier in the 5th Wisconsin wrote of Eliza Wilson: We have not seen a woman for a fortnight with the exception of the Daughter of the Regiment, who is with us in storm and sunshine. It would do you good to see her trudging along, with or after the regiment, her dark brown frock buttoned tightly around her waist, her what-you-call-ems tucked into her well fitting gaiters, her hat and feather set jauntily on one side, her step firm and assured, for she knows that every arm in our ranks would protect her. never pouting or passionate, with a kind word for everyone, and everyone a kind word for her15.
It took special kind of lady to abandon all of the 19th century society's strictures on the proper place of women and follow a regiment into war as a vivandiere. In the male-only environment of the military establishment, a vivandiere needed to be brave hardy, selfless, and willing to endure "sights not fit for a proper lady." Women who choose to perform the vivandiere impression at Civil War reenactments must possess the same qualities. Just as vivandieres in the Civil War were a curiosity to both soldiers and civilians; so, too, are women who do this impression a curiosity to their fellow reenactors and to the public. Extreme care must be taken in doing the impression to have an accurate impression and to correctly interpret the impression to the public.
Vivandieres were not a frequent sight in Civil War armies, and they became less common as the war progressed. It would be extremely inaccurate, therefore, for every reenactment unit to have a vivandiere, nor should the impression be a common one at Civil War reenactments. Quite frankly, only those reenactment units which can document the presence of a vivandiere in the original Civil War regiment should probably encourage the impression.
As an educational and interpretive tool, the impression can often be used to help the public explore the roles of women during the Civil War, but not everyone who does the impression should expect to be welcomed with open arms. A woman who has an interest in doing this impression is advised to first reach an agreement with the reenactment unit to which she belongs about the impression and its function at events. Some questions that should be answered include her functions in camp, in drill, in parade, where she will camp, what her uniform should be, and what events are appropriate places for the impression. Vivandieres have no well-defined role at Civil War reenactments, so it is up to the person doing the impression to define her own role at events. Filling canteens and cooking for the troops or the officers will fill most of her day. During battles, the most likely place to find a vivandiere would be behind the battle lines with the field hospital or surgeons.
Vivandieres during the Civil War marched with the regiment as well as the soldiers. Before presenting this impression a woman portraying a vivandiere should learn and practice the rudiments of drill and be proficient in performing all commands, facings, and marching orders. And she must realize, too, that she is neither fish nor fowl at Civil War reenactments. She is neither a lady who can go to teas and compare dress-making techniques; nor is she a man who can share the male bonding of battle experiences. In camp and on the march there will be things of which she should take no notice, being a lady. Most of all, she should consider it an honor and a privilege to be "the daughter of the regiment." If she has a true interest in and concern for the members of the regiment, and can place their interests above her own, then she is a good candidate for doing the impression. She must be able to follow orders, and be willing to endure the same hardships as the troops. She must be willing to be up before reveille to have coffee made for the troops, and she will find little time to visit the sutlers or relax in camp if the impression is to be done properly. The vivandiere impression is one avenue for females interested in participating in the military environment of Civil War reenactments, but it is certainly not an impression for every woman. It requires a great deal of personal research and a more intense physical and emotional investment than many other impressions. It can, however, be a fulfilling experience for a few women who want to have an active role in recreating the experiences of the Civil War.
1-15 This article was reprinted from The Lady Reenactor, Volume 1, by Susan Lyons Hughes. Date of this article is unknown.
