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| Welcome to the CCMA Distaff & Campfollower Page |
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| Throughout the 8 long years of the Revolutionary War the American and British armys were accompanied by a group of people called Distaff and/or campfollowers. These "people" included wives of enlisted men who provided needed services like laundresses and nurses, tradesman like blacksmiths, coopers, harnessmakers, sutlers, and teamsters who drove the wagons which carried supplies. Some campfollowers stayed years with the army, others perhaps for only a few weeks or months as they traveled to live with or visit family, etc. in another part of the colonies. No matter whether they were a cooper or a laundress; campfollowers were an important element of support for the troops on both sides of the war. Their lives were not easy, they endured the same frigid weather, lack of food and supplies, and strict obeyance to all military regulations. |
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| Typical camp "living conditions" on the march for American Army | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sewing and assisting with meal preparation were common chores | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Children of all ages also accompanied married women as campfollowers. These lads enjoy a little break to play chess, but children were expected to do chores without question. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| A blacksmiths skill was highly valued to keep artillery, muskets and horses shoes in good repair. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| More information about Army life, Soldiers and Campfollowers Check out these terrific articles by John Rees | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Ask a campfollower a question<HERE> | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| A harness maker could repair scabbards, musket straps, saddles, cartridge boxes, belts, shoes and tentage. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| The camp laundresses were paid by the piece for clothing they washed. When weather was poor they would do mending and sewing. They also could get pressed into serving as nurses in the field hospital. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Life on campaign was not easy, but sometimes a nice summer day could afford a little "family time" Officers wives might have come for a weekend visit from time to time. |
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| Quite often women and daughters served as "Molly Pitchers" on or near the battle field bringing water to soldiers and artillery crews, helping the wounded, or even in some cases bringing food during a long siege. They risked their lives to help where and when they could in America's fight for Freedom. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| The people you see in the images above are all members of different units that belong to the CCMA. Each is a volunteer who prides themselves on accurately portraying a campfollower during the American Revolutionary War era. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||