Vivandiers of the Civil War

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What is a Vivandier or Cantoniere?

“Vivandiers” comes from the French employment of females in the military service. Also called “Daughter of the Regiment,” they were young girls, usually an officer's relative, that wanted to be part of the gala and excitement of War, not fully understanding what that meant. They were included as flag carriers for parades and ceremonies. They dressed in pretty uniforms, similar to those of the army (jacket, pants and a skirt) with which they were associated. Eventually, the logistics of caring for these "extra personnel" became prohibitive for the armies, so the government deeded them as part of the extended army unit and was then able to distribute supplies for the girls. Some girls took the job very seriously and actually became part of the battle. For example, Kady Brownell and Anna Etheridge both were accredited with rallying the troops in the dense smoke of fire. The role of Vivandier varied on a wide scale, depending on the personal commitment of each individual girl. Many carried canteens of water, wine or whiskey for refreshing the soldiers in battle, some dragged wounded off the field, while others covered the faces of the dead or brought much needed ammunition to the soldiers. Some were even accused of being prostitutes using the uniform as a "cover" for their clandestine activities.

There were quite a few Vivandiers associated with the Zoaves
and
their uniforms were greatly decorated and colorful.

In today's reenacting community,
you may find a few Vivandiers and their roles extend the gamut from ceremonial (not too many Veteran's parades these days !) to assisting in battle. If you have permission to participate as a Vivandier, be sure to clear your activities with the commanding officers. Many men are not accustomed to women on the battle field and some event prohibit female participation of any kind. If you conduct yourself in a very professional manner, then you will have better reception by the COs. And be sure to have a strong foundation of research to back up your impression. A non-traditional role such as this will meet with great scrutiny not only from the soldiers, but also from the spectators.
Do your homework!

Some Vivandiers, Cantoniers and Daughters of the Regiment:

Confederate

Madame Boivert - Guards Lafayette from Mobile, AL
Eliza “Lide” Carico - 10th Kentucky Partisan Rangers, Co. A
Lucy Ann Cox - 13th Virginia Reg.& 30th Virginia Inf., Co. A
Lucinda Home - 14th South Carolina Vol. Inf., Co. K
Jane Claudia Johnson - 1st Maryland Inf.
Allie McPeak
Leona Neville -5th Louisiana Inf.
Mary Ann Perkins - Guarde Lafayette, Mobile, AL
Bettie Taylor Philips - 4th Kentucky Inf. Reg.
Rose K. Rooney - 15th Louisiana Inf., Co. K
Sarah Taylor - 1st Tennessee Inf.
Nancy Slaughter Walker
Lavinia Williams - 1st Louisiana Inf., Co. A & B

Affiliation Unknown

Mary Hill
Mary Lippy

Union

Arabella Barlow – 12th New York Militia Reg., 61st New York Inf.
Sarah Beasley - 1st Rhode Island Inf.
Catherine Whitacre Brashear - 16th and 19th Ohio Inf.
Mary A. Brown - 31st Maine
Kady Brownell - 1st Rhode Island Infantry Volunteers, 5th Rhode Island Inf.
Bridget “Irish Biddy” Deavers (Divers) – 1st Michigan Cavalry Reg.
Mrs. L. L. Deming -10th Michigan Inf.
Molly Divver - 7th New York Inf.
“Dutch Mary” - 17th Maine Infantry Reg.
Anna Etheridge (“Gentle Annie”, “Michigan Annie”) - 2nd Michigan Vol. Inf. Reg.; 3rd Michigan; 5th Michigan
Hannah Ewbank - 7th Wisconsin Inf.
Elizabeth Cain Finnan - 81st Ohio Inf.
Augusta Foster - 5th & 2nd Maine Inf.
Martha Francis -1st Rhode Island Inf.
Ella Gibson - 49th Ohio Inf.
Ellen Goodridge - Wisconsin Reg.
Virginia Hall - 72nd Pennsylvania Inf.
Eliza Harris
Annie Jones - New York Reg.
Lizzie Clawson Jones - 6th Massachusetts Inf. Reg.
Hannah O’Neil - Co. H, 1st Minnesota Vol. Inf.
Belle Reynolds - 17th Illinois Inf.
Salm-Salm. Agnes Elisabeth Winona Leclerq Joy, Princess (Dec. 25, 1844-Agnes Elisabeth Winona Leclerq Joy, “Princess Salm-Salm”
Jerusha Small - 12th Iowa Inf. Reg.
Marie Tebe, “French Mary” - 27th Pennsylvania Inf., Co. I-“Washington Brigade”, 114th Pennsylvania Zouaves
Nadine Turchin -19th Illinois Inf. Reg.
Modenia Weston - 3rd Iowa Inf.
Eliza Wilson - 5th Wisconsin Inf., Co.K- “Dunn County Pinery Rifles”
Maggie Wilson
Mrs. John Witherson/Witherspoon - 23rd Pennsylvania Inf.
Julia Wood

Anna Etheridge

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