teco
Women in the services
Wed Feb 14 16:49:33 2001


Homer mentions of the females in the services as being referred to as VIVANDIERES. My 1880's dictionary does not show a hyphen. States they were referred to as female sutlers; a woman who attends a regiment with refreshments, especially with such wine or liquor as she can carry in a small keg hanging by her side. No mention of being a laundress. I have heard of the laundress never a note about the above beverages.

And there is an added footnote: vivandieres (accent mark over the first "e") are not recognized as a class in the United States service. In the French army they are tolerated but placed under special regulations.

I guess the word vivandiere was used for the lack of a better word.

• Camp Followers — Dan Cardwell, Thu Feb 15 21:28
• French Army — Hayes Lowe, Fri Feb 16 11:04