This is for Lesemann who wanted some information about the woman
who participated in the Am. Revolutionary War. One important
role that women played, but is often left out is their role as
"campfollower." In armies before 1800, women "camp followers"
played a crucial role doing all the supply work for the army. In
other words, the women "on ration" (they were paid by the army)
had to find food, clothing, medicine, other supplies the
soldiers needed from the towns where the army was staying. In
the modern army, 90% of the men in the army are doing this kind
of supply work. Generals like Washington knew that the army with
the greatest number of women campfollowers would win the war.
Washington was handicapped: the Congress did not give him enough
money to hire women as campfollowers. General Burgoine on the
British side had something like 7000 women in his army and
Washington had only 2000 or 3000. Needless to say, Burgoine felt
overwhelmingly self-confidant. The women campfollowers were not
all tramps. Only a