Vivandieres
From 1995 Cascades Civil War Muster Program

While the United States is arguing today about whether women should be allowed in combat, out leaders should but look back to the Civil War and the role women played as vivandieres.

The vivandiere was a development of the 18th century French military. Since the French had the reputation of being the finest soldiers in the world, some Civil War units, made up mostly of foreigners, adopted what was in effect a camp follower on the rolls of their regiments. The women were paid by the regiment and their duties were being a den mother, nurse and mascot of the soldiers ñ but retaining eminent respectability because they were frequently the wife or daughter of one of the men.

The vivandiere paid little heed to her non-combat job description and was frequently found on the firing line in some of the toughest battles of the war. If she wasn't tending tot he wounds of her comrades, she could well be found loading, aiming and firing rifles at her enemy. And the enemy could be either Yanks or Rebels because both sides had vivandieres.

These ladies weren't the Scarlet O'Hara tea-party pretties, but could meet a challenge and often overcome it.

Take Kady Brownell for instance. Born in Africa, the 19-year-old was the daughter of a British soldier and wife of a member of the 1st Rhode Island. She carried the colors at the First Bull Run and when her husband re-enlisted in the 5th Rhode Island, Kady went along, but not on the rolls. She continued carrying the colors and once again saved the regiment by running ahead of the firing line and rallying the troops.

Annie Etheridge was a nurse-vivandiere in the 2nd Michigan, the 3rd Michigan and the 5th Michigan. She was known as "Gentle Annie" and "Michigan Annie," and was in the thick of Gettysburg fighting. At Spottsylvania she rallied retreating troops in the face of the enemy. Gen. Phil Kearny planned to make her a sergeant-major, but was killed. His successor, Daniel Butterfield, awarded her a Kearny Cross.

Bridgett Divers, loving called "Irish Biddy," was the wife of a 1st Michigan Cavalry member. On two occasions she rallied her regiment under fire, and on a number of others was seen on the line firing her musket. Twice she was almost captured. After the war, her husband joined the Regular Army and she became regimental laundress for many years on the frontier.

So what's there to argue about? Women have been to the front lines, they've distinguished themselves, and their comrades have recognized them for it.