"Vivandieres: Forgotten Women of the Civil War" Topic

Of possible interest?

link

Does anyone used them in your ACW wargames?

Amicalement
Armand

I have two with a cart for my Union Zouave "Brigade."

Forgotten? Having been closely involved, via my "brother" (actually Mrs Carp) with the cross-dressing faction of Civil War reenacting, I learned the vivandieres and cantinieres were only the "public" skin of female participation during the war. They are worthy of their own laurels, however.

My wife does a vivandiere impression in our reenacating activities, so I live with one! :)

I live with one also. Tiger Rifle Vivs are the best. TIG

Lucky you boys!. (smile)

Amicalement
Armand

The article mentions French Mary, she being the most famous Viv of the war. But, the second best known was Lavinia Williams of Wheats Tigers.

Are there any sources that give the numbers of women who served as vivandieres? And were they regulated to just those zouave regiments who wore French uniforms etc.?

I doubt that there is any full accounting of the vivandiers. In the early days of the war there were probably hundreds of them on both sides who followed their husbands or lovers into the ranks, but the majority soon went home when they saw what soldiering was really like. Most of these were probably never officially listed on their regiment's roster. And the vivs weren't limited to the zouave regiments. You could find them in any sort of regiment.

The ones we hear much about are the ones who stuck it out and actually accompanied the men on campaign and into battle. There were a lot fewer of them. There are a number of books on the subject.