Camp Followers
This page is for all the soldiers' wives who have followed them to war.
(this page is a WIP)
(this page is a WIP)
Camp Follower Kit:
Entry Level - dress, head covering, stockings, black/brown leather boots/shoes, apron, handkerchief/chemisette
Items to add over time - fire lighter, small axe, sewing kit, basket, cloak/spencer, short gown/bed gown, shift, petticoat
Entry Level - dress, head covering, stockings, black/brown leather boots/shoes, apron, handkerchief/chemisette
Items to add over time - fire lighter, small axe, sewing kit, basket, cloak/spencer, short gown/bed gown, shift, petticoat
Camp Follower Duties:
These duties would be shared amongst all the wives and any children.
Start/maintain fires, cook (on occasion - often the soldiers cooked), mend clothing, laundry, tend to injuries/illness, keep camp orderly (dishes, straighten up mess hall), help with horse care
These duties would be shared amongst all the wives and any children.
Start/maintain fires, cook (on occasion - often the soldiers cooked), mend clothing, laundry, tend to injuries/illness, keep camp orderly (dishes, straighten up mess hall), help with horse care
Huswife made by Lee Farruga, with items for mending in camp.
Links to Articles about Followers during the War of 1812 and earlier:
Women in the War of 1812 (from Kent-Delord House Museum)
The Roles Women Played in the War of 1812 (from the Upper Mississippi Brigade)
Women in the War (from My Neighbour Wellington) Based on French camp followers.
Role of Camp Followers in the British Army (from Royal Scots Grenadiers)
8 Fast Facts About Camp Followers (from Journal of the American Revolution)
Women of the British Army in America (by Don N. Hagist at revwar75)
Women in the War of 1812 (from Kent-Delord House Museum)
The Roles Women Played in the War of 1812 (from the Upper Mississippi Brigade)
Women in the War (from My Neighbour Wellington) Based on French camp followers.
Role of Camp Followers in the British Army (from Royal Scots Grenadiers)
8 Fast Facts About Camp Followers (from Journal of the American Revolution)
Women of the British Army in America (by Don N. Hagist at revwar75)
An item used in this period by civilians and followers alike was the market wallet. Haversacks were used most by the soldiers.
A market wallet was/is very easy to make and can be made in many sizes. They were used for hundreds of years before and well after 1812. Here is more information about them.
A market wallet was/is very easy to make and can be made in many sizes. They were used for hundreds of years before and well after 1812. Here is more information about them.
Two market wallets made by Lee Farruga.
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Woman with market wallet. Drawn by Hugh Douglas Hamilton (1760)
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During quiet times, the older followers taught the girls (and often the boys too) useful day to day skills.
Dragoon followers heading to the pub after a long day.
