Synopses & Reviews
Belonging to the Army reveals the identity and importance of the civilians now referred to as camp followers, whom Holly A. Mayer calls the forgotten revolutionaries of the War for American Independence. These merchants, contractors, family members, servants, government officers, and military employees provided necessary supplies, services, and emotional support to the troops of the Continental Army. Mayer describes their activities and demonstrates how they made encampments livable communities and played a fundamental role in the survival and ultimate success of the Continental Army. She also considers how the army wanted to be rid of the followers but were unsuccessful because of the civilians' essential support functions and determination to make camps into communities. Instead the civilians' assimilation gave an expansive meaning to the term belonging to the army.
Review
"Those familiar with military organizations know that behind every fighting unit is a complex of support groups that provide ordnance and supply, and construction, police and medical services, among others. In this well-researched monograph, Mayer examines the 'Continental Community'—the camp followers, sutlers, servants, volunteers, slaves, and service support personnel—which supported the combat troops of the Continental Army during the American Revolution and without which the army could not have functioned. Relying heavily on orderly books, general orders, and personal papers, Mayer fashions a lively portrait of a neglected area of military life and contributes substantially to our understanding of the Continental army and the Revolution." Reviewed by Andrew Witmer, Virginia Quarterly Review (Copyright 2006 Virginia Quarterly Review)
Synopsis
Chronicles the importance of civilians to the American Revolutionary War effort.
Synopsis
Chronicles the identities and importance of civilians to the American Revolutionary War effort
Belonging to the Army reveals the identity and importance of the civilians now referred to as camp followers, whom Holly A. Mayer calls the forgotten revolutionaries of the War for American Independence. These merchants, contractors, family members, servants, government officers, and military employees provided necessary supplies, services, and emotional support to the troops of the Continental Army. Mayer describes their activities and demonstrates how they made encampments livable communities and played a fundamental role in the survival and ultimate success of the Continental Army. She also considers how the army wanted to be rid of the followers but were unsuccessful because of the civilians' essential support functions and determination to make camps into communities. Instead the civilians' assimilation gave an expansive meaning to the term belonging to the army.