During the Napoleonic period, the French Army, intent upon reducing the number of camp followers and hangers-on, restricted the number of women following the army. However, in attempt to provide some of the same services to the soldiers, the army regularized and militarized the presence of a few women to serve as Vivandieres. Army commanders were authorized to appoint one Vivandiere per regiment.

In French army practice, the functions of Vivandiere were somewhat different. Vivandieres were mainly confined to garrison camps or posts.  They served as a kind of post sutler, selling food and drink to the troops. Vivandieres of the Napoleonic armies wore no established uniform, but were distinguished by a cask containing spirits. Some army commanders took the initiative to authorize uniforms for Vivandieres, and in many cases these were similar to the uniforms of the field music of the regiment.  In American military practice, many women who fulfilled this function came also to be known as “the Daughter of the Regiment”.  The Vivandiere was often the wife of a soldier or the daughter of an officer, and the “daughter of the regiment” commanded the respect of soldiers in ways that other types of camp followers could not.

The total number of women who served in this capacity is quite small.  Though non-essential to fighting regiments, Vivandieres performed some important functions. The most important was as a nurse. With her cask of spirits or a canteen of water, a Vivandiere gave a wounded or sick soldier immediate attention, comparable to a modern triage situation. Some Vivandieres were well-armed for self-defense, such as Sarah Taylor, who carried a sword, rifle and pistols. Annie Etheridge carried two pistols, and Marie Tepe was also armed with a pistol. Tepe and Etheridge were both awarded the Kearny Cross after the Battle of Chancellorsville.

Among the deeds of valor performed by Vivandieres were Kady Brownell’s actions at the battle of New Bern, where, carrying the colors into battle, Kady ran with the flag to the center of the field to show the Union troops that the 5^th Rhode Island was not the enemy.

The self-sacrifice and courage of these women saved lives and provided care to soldiers who might otherwise have had none.

Nomination Criteria & Procedures: (to nominate click here)

• Must be a spouse of a current regular member in good standing of the MPRA.
• Only nominations for individuals will be accepted.  No group nominations will be considered.
• The award is not to be used in the place of a PCS or retirement award for the spouse.
• The award nomination must be signed by a Military Police Colonel who is a current MPRA member.
• A nominee must meet the following criteria for each level of the award:
  
  (A)  Nominations must be based on genuine knowledge or documented research.
  
  (B)  Nominations will contain an application, a one page narrative, and form of payment.

• Nominations will be forwarded to MPRA.

Nomination Packets can be requested from the Military Police Gift Shop by calling  573-329-5317  573-329-5317 , by clicking here or sending an email to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Completed nomination packets should be mailed to:

Military Police Regimental Association (MPRA)
P.O. Box 2182
Fort Leonard Wood, MO 65473