Women of the Company by Sally Colford Bennett
Sally Colford Bennett, Fort Massac
Women of the Company: refers to the wives of soldiers who worked for the regular army companies of a regiment either as washer women or hospital matrons.
The following is an edited excerpt from a work-in-progress on Women of the Company:
The military administration recognized the important resources women offered, and thereby, outline their responsibilities into the rules and regulations. Women do not show up in enlistment records because they were not allowed to enlist. On the other hand, due to record keeping and the lack of educational resources open to women in the Early American Republic, there is little information that reveals the women involved with the branches of the U.S. military. Often, only the women who misbehaved drew enough attention to find their names and deeds written into company record books. Some documents listed women who went “on command” with a detachment as “1 woman - drawing rations”. Non-military sources such as diaries, journals, and letters kept by middling to upper class men and women, observed these wretched creatures in the field, on the march, or in garrisons. Without these diverse forms of records, we might never have come to know what we do about women of the company.
Although there are books about camp followers of the American War for Independence, little has been written to date regarding “female camp followers” of the Early Republic, during the Peace establishment army, and particularly of the War of 1812 period until 1820. Author Holly Mayer points out in her book regarding the American War for Independence, Belonging to the Army, the term camp followers is not to be so limited to only women and families of soldiers, but encompasses the larger aspects that includes the supplies needed by the military, the waggoners who haul the supplies, and the sutlers. The term camp follower to refer to women either of soiled or proper character fell out of use in the US military by 1801 in favor of the term Women of the Company.
Bound by the Articles of War , women of the company could be subject to a court martial, thrown out of a fort, and forced to make a living beyond the protection of heir husbands. These wives shared in their spouses’ fates or sought ways to survive despite the overwhelming odds. Other women found little community or society to participate in due to these divisions of rank between officers and the common soldiers, between non-commissioned officers and the privates. An officer’s lady would not be permitted by unwritten social rules to take tea with a wife of a common soldier despite the fact there may be no more than 3 to 5 women present within a given garrison. This sometimes made for a lonely and even isolated life for all women.
Benefits to being a Woman of the Company included rations, candles, straw, besides pay. It should be noted that wives of soldiers who might accompany the army, but were not assigned one of the duties to perform were therefore not entitled to any benefits or rations of food. Therefore, the term “Women of the Company” has a very clear meaning: – women who are married to soldiers.A soldier could not marry nor take his wife along without the permission of his commanding officer. Most men enlisting in a company were not married. Hence, an officer might particularly seek a married man in order to obtain a washer woman as well. When recruiting parties were out looking for their men possessing skills in tailoring, carpentry, blacksmithing, and farming, they also kept an eye out for the man who was married to a woman who could wash and sew. So it is by no accident that the wife of a common soldier might become a washer woman or a hospital matron -- She was chosen to be a woman of the company, holding a distinct position either as a washerwoman, or as a hospital matron. They were entitled to benefits not given to women who did not possess these positions. Thomas Cushing, in establishing the 1801 Standing Orders, allowed that infantry companies of 100 men be assigned 4 washer women or approximately, one for every 17 men, and appoint hospital matrons on an as-need basis.
Washerwomen: from about 1800 to 1815, this is the most commonly used term for women who did laundry in the historic record of this era, not laundress, So our unit uses the term washerwomen and would appreciate others using that term. The duties of the washerwoman was to wash the clothing of the soldiers - sometimes called small clothing. Wash per soldier might consist of cotton shirts, socks, stockings, fatigue frocks,military overalls, and fatigue trousers. A washer woman would charge regulated fees, set by the commanding officer. If she used her own soap, she could charge more. If a solider supplied the soap, the price was less AND the washer woman had to keep track of his soap. For example, if she supplied the soap, it was 18 cents per dozen pieces; if the soldier supplied the soap, it was 12 cents per dozen. She also had to keep a log or memorandum of what pieces she washed for each soldier. When the soldiers received their pay, usually every 3 - 6 months, the washerwoman was paid first, before the soldiers received their money. She would show her log and the officers would deduct form each soldier's pay the amount due to the washer woman.
The washing of clothes of the men in garrison was done twice a week. Clean linen day was Sunday and Thursdays (regulations) as it was also the day men shaved. Also, the washer women mended clothes, and made shirts, towels, and other items as requested all for extra pay. The place of washing appears to have varied. In the colder months, there is evidence of a wash house within the fort being art of military property. In warmer months, brush arbors were made within the garrison and the work was conducted there.
Hospital Matrons: this term should not be confused with nursing care as we now know it. The hospital matron was not a nurse. Men would be appointed to be nurses as well as hospital stewards. A non-commissioned officer would be assigned to give out the medications and the steward would keep up the supply of the firewood and water. A hospital matron was appointed by the company surgeon's mate based on how fit he determined her character to be, and her duties were similar to a washerwoman's in that she washed the sick man's clothing but also the bedding he slept upon. Other duties were “...to scour and cleanse the bunks and floors, to wash blankets, bed sacks, and cloths of patients, to cook the victuals of the sick, and to keep clean and in good order the cooking utensils.” for this, she was paid a similar amount to a washerwoman as well as receiving a ration per day. If there were less than 6 men in the post hospital, she would be dismissed. if there were considerably more sick men, she would be re-appointed along with other women as needed.
Clothing Suggestions: If you are interested in interpreting these roles, consider your wardrobe to reflect your position. Clothing should be worn and look used, not brand new.
Chemise: natural linen. Make at least two. This is your underwear. The neckline of the chemise should be similar to the neckline of what you wear over it.
Stay: optional for working class. You should consider wearing a stay, preferably a front opening stay and a chemise of natural colored linen to reflect your social station, especially if you are a non-commissioned officer's wife (ie. sergeant or corporal).
Short gown: This garment should be high-waist. High waist short gowns (solid, stripes, or a no more than 2 colored print). It would be part of your working clothing. fabrics include cotton or linen or fustian block prints, cotton stripes, or solids.
"Upper" Petticoat: this is an outer high-waist petticoat (solid or stripes). It would be part of your working clothing. fabrics could be linen, fustian, worsted wool.
Dress: high waist made out of a plain fabric or homespun check (two colors) would be for off duty days.
Neckerchief or plain chemisette: necklines were not laid bare by American women except for evening wear, but since this is a working class impression, you should consider filling in the neckline of your short gown or dress with either a neckerchief or a chemisette.
Head wear: Day Cap. For head cover, consider a plain day cap. Bonnet: an off white or black linen working woman's bonnet. Scarf: Rarely, a head scarf.
Stockings: For your feet, stockings, plain off white in wool or cotton.
Footwear: Shoes should be lower quarter brogans that tie or worn-out men's Jefferson bootees.
Pocket: You should consider have slits in your petticoat or dress to accommodate wearing beneath it a pocket, tied around your upper waist. You would keep your memorandum book for washing soldiers' laundry in a pocket, along with a pencil, money, and other items, your sewing roll-up or housewife.
Apron: Aprons can be made in two styles - the easiest one is found in Rural Pennsylvania Clothing -- take a 40" x 40" piece of linen or wool, hem three sides, and pleat top as needed. Then attach a wide piece of Dutch linen tape to the top (3/4 inch wide). Write me for more info on this one.
Outerwear: To keep warm: it is suggested a wool cloak - red, blue, or green. A short jacket of wool (similar to a spencer but not, more like a short gown. Past Patterns is suppose to have this item coming out soon. Or, you might want to make a roundabout, in dark blue wool, similar to what the soldiers' have, but worn out a bit.
Housewife: make up one of thee for your sewing items.
Recommended sources;
Past Patterns: for dress and stay # 031 and 038; PP will soon be coming out with a high waist short gown and petticoat. Also the chemise pattern is recommended - #002.
http://www.pastpatterns.com/1789.html
Kannick's Korner: day caps and bonnet patterns: KK- 6602 or 6603, and for the short cloak KK-6901. for pockets and other accessories, KK- 6001.
http://www.kannikskorner.com/patwomen2.html
Regency Revisited: buy their Apron pattern. It is not shown on their website, but you can call them.
http://www.regencyrevisited.com/index.php
Stay and Chemise Workshop at Fort Osage National Historic Site, June 25 & 26, (from 9 AM to 4 PM and 9 AM to 1 PM).
Contact - Sally Bennett: fortdearborn1812@aol.com
Sponsored by the Federalist Ladies Sewing Circle at Fort Osage.
The following is an edited excerpt from a work-in-progress on Women of the Company:
The military administration recognized the important resources women offered, and thereby, outline their responsibilities into the rules and regulations. Women do not show up in enlistment records because they were not allowed to enlist. On the other hand, due to record keeping and the lack of educational resources open to women in the Early American Republic, there is little information that reveals the women involved with the branches of the U.S. military. Often, only the women who misbehaved drew enough attention to find their names and deeds written into company record books. Some documents listed women who went “on command” with a detachment as “1 woman - drawing rations”. Non-military sources such as diaries, journals, and letters kept by middling to upper class men and women, observed these wretched creatures in the field, on the march, or in garrisons. Without these diverse forms of records, we might never have come to know what we do about women of the company.
Although there are books about camp followers of the American War for Independence, little has been written to date regarding “female camp followers” of the Early Republic, during the Peace establishment army, and particularly of the War of 1812 period until 1820. Author Holly Mayer points out in her book regarding the American War for Independence, Belonging to the Army, the term camp followers is not to be so limited to only women and families of soldiers, but encompasses the larger aspects that includes the supplies needed by the military, the waggoners who haul the supplies, and the sutlers. The term camp follower to refer to women either of soiled or proper character fell out of use in the US military by 1801 in favor of the term Women of the Company.
Bound by the Articles of War , women of the company could be subject to a court martial, thrown out of a fort, and forced to make a living beyond the protection of heir husbands. These wives shared in their spouses’ fates or sought ways to survive despite the overwhelming odds. Other women found little community or society to participate in due to these divisions of rank between officers and the common soldiers, between non-commissioned officers and the privates. An officer’s lady would not be permitted by unwritten social rules to take tea with a wife of a common soldier despite the fact there may be no more than 3 to 5 women present within a given garrison. This sometimes made for a lonely and even isolated life for all women.
Benefits to being a Woman of the Company included rations, candles, straw, besides pay. It should be noted that wives of soldiers who might accompany the army, but were not assigned one of the duties to perform were therefore not entitled to any benefits or rations of food. Therefore, the term “Women of the Company” has a very clear meaning: – women who are married to soldiers.A soldier could not marry nor take his wife along without the permission of his commanding officer. Most men enlisting in a company were not married. Hence, an officer might particularly seek a married man in order to obtain a washer woman as well. When recruiting parties were out looking for their men possessing skills in tailoring, carpentry, blacksmithing, and farming, they also kept an eye out for the man who was married to a woman who could wash and sew. So it is by no accident that the wife of a common soldier might become a washer woman or a hospital matron -- She was chosen to be a woman of the company, holding a distinct position either as a washerwoman, or as a hospital matron. They were entitled to benefits not given to women who did not possess these positions. Thomas Cushing, in establishing the 1801 Standing Orders, allowed that infantry companies of 100 men be assigned 4 washer women or approximately, one for every 17 men, and appoint hospital matrons on an as-need basis.
Washerwomen: from about 1800 to 1815, this is the most commonly used term for women who did laundry in the historic record of this era, not laundress, So our unit uses the term washerwomen and would appreciate others using that term. The duties of the washerwoman was to wash the clothing of the soldiers - sometimes called small clothing. Wash per soldier might consist of cotton shirts, socks, stockings, fatigue frocks,military overalls, and fatigue trousers. A washer woman would charge regulated fees, set by the commanding officer. If she used her own soap, she could charge more. If a solider supplied the soap, the price was less AND the washer woman had to keep track of his soap. For example, if she supplied the soap, it was 18 cents per dozen pieces; if the soldier supplied the soap, it was 12 cents per dozen. She also had to keep a log or memorandum of what pieces she washed for each soldier. When the soldiers received their pay, usually every 3 - 6 months, the washerwoman was paid first, before the soldiers received their money. She would show her log and the officers would deduct form each soldier's pay the amount due to the washer woman.
The washing of clothes of the men in garrison was done twice a week. Clean linen day was Sunday and Thursdays (regulations) as it was also the day men shaved. Also, the washer women mended clothes, and made shirts, towels, and other items as requested all for extra pay. The place of washing appears to have varied. In the colder months, there is evidence of a wash house within the fort being art of military property. In warmer months, brush arbors were made within the garrison and the work was conducted there.
Hospital Matrons: this term should not be confused with nursing care as we now know it. The hospital matron was not a nurse. Men would be appointed to be nurses as well as hospital stewards. A non-commissioned officer would be assigned to give out the medications and the steward would keep up the supply of the firewood and water. A hospital matron was appointed by the company surgeon's mate based on how fit he determined her character to be, and her duties were similar to a washerwoman's in that she washed the sick man's clothing but also the bedding he slept upon. Other duties were “...to scour and cleanse the bunks and floors, to wash blankets, bed sacks, and cloths of patients, to cook the victuals of the sick, and to keep clean and in good order the cooking utensils.” for this, she was paid a similar amount to a washerwoman as well as receiving a ration per day. If there were less than 6 men in the post hospital, she would be dismissed. if there were considerably more sick men, she would be re-appointed along with other women as needed.
Clothing Suggestions: If you are interested in interpreting these roles, consider your wardrobe to reflect your position. Clothing should be worn and look used, not brand new.
Chemise: natural linen. Make at least two. This is your underwear. The neckline of the chemise should be similar to the neckline of what you wear over it.
Stay: optional for working class. You should consider wearing a stay, preferably a front opening stay and a chemise of natural colored linen to reflect your social station, especially if you are a non-commissioned officer's wife (ie. sergeant or corporal).
Short gown: This garment should be high-waist. High waist short gowns (solid, stripes, or a no more than 2 colored print). It would be part of your working clothing. fabrics include cotton or linen or fustian block prints, cotton stripes, or solids.
"Upper" Petticoat: this is an outer high-waist petticoat (solid or stripes). It would be part of your working clothing. fabrics could be linen, fustian, worsted wool.
Dress: high waist made out of a plain fabric or homespun check (two colors) would be for off duty days.
Neckerchief or plain chemisette: necklines were not laid bare by American women except for evening wear, but since this is a working class impression, you should consider filling in the neckline of your short gown or dress with either a neckerchief or a chemisette.
Head wear: Day Cap. For head cover, consider a plain day cap. Bonnet: an off white or black linen working woman's bonnet. Scarf: Rarely, a head scarf.
Stockings: For your feet, stockings, plain off white in wool or cotton.
Footwear: Shoes should be lower quarter brogans that tie or worn-out men's Jefferson bootees.
Pocket: You should consider have slits in your petticoat or dress to accommodate wearing beneath it a pocket, tied around your upper waist. You would keep your memorandum book for washing soldiers' laundry in a pocket, along with a pencil, money, and other items, your sewing roll-up or housewife.
Apron: Aprons can be made in two styles - the easiest one is found in Rural Pennsylvania Clothing -- take a 40" x 40" piece of linen or wool, hem three sides, and pleat top as needed. Then attach a wide piece of Dutch linen tape to the top (3/4 inch wide). Write me for more info on this one.
Outerwear: To keep warm: it is suggested a wool cloak - red, blue, or green. A short jacket of wool (similar to a spencer but not, more like a short gown. Past Patterns is suppose to have this item coming out soon. Or, you might want to make a roundabout, in dark blue wool, similar to what the soldiers' have, but worn out a bit.
Housewife: make up one of thee for your sewing items.
Recommended sources;
Past Patterns: for dress and stay # 031 and 038; PP will soon be coming out with a high waist short gown and petticoat. Also the chemise pattern is recommended - #002.
http://www.pastpatterns.com/1789.html
Kannick's Korner: day caps and bonnet patterns: KK- 6602 or 6603, and for the short cloak KK-6901. for pockets and other accessories, KK- 6001.
http://www.kannikskorner.com/patwomen2.html
Regency Revisited: buy their Apron pattern. It is not shown on their website, but you can call them.
http://www.regencyrevisited.com/index.php
Stay and Chemise Workshop at Fort Osage National Historic Site, June 25 & 26, (from 9 AM to 4 PM and 9 AM to 1 PM).
Contact - Sally Bennett: fortdearborn1812@aol.com
Sponsored by the Federalist Ladies Sewing Circle at Fort Osage.
