Daughters of the Regiment and Camp Followers
Camp with followers clearly seen. Courtesy of the Library of Congress.
Camp followers were usually the wives of soldiers going off to war, although not always. Some went after a lover or brother, and some even brought their children.
Many Civil War regiments adopted a "daughter" of the the regiment. This woman was a sort of mascot or "guardian angel." Although she did not always participate in battles (although some did), the daughter generally worked to keep up morale in camp, rallying soldiers to fight, and bearing the regimental colors. This woman was viewed with respect in her regiment, oftentimes not only because of her charity and compassion, but also because of her courage and honor.
As with undercover soldiers, the best documented cases of daughters of the regiment are in the Union army, so that is the focus of the next few pages.