Daughters of the Regiment - Vivandieres of the Civil War by Jo-Ann Roberts

Having just finished "Ainsley" my contribution to the Love Train series, I've turned my attention to Book Two in the Mended Heart series, "Winning the Widow's Heart".

In early July 1864, General Sherman ordered the arrest and deportation of the 400 women, children, and a few men from Roswell and Marietta, Georgia with treason for spinning yarn and weaving cloth for the Confederates. Then he shipped them north, from their homeland, through Tennessee and on to Louisville, Kentucky, ordering them to cross the Ohio River and support themselves in Indiana in whatever way they could.  

"Winning the Widow's Heart" follows the journey of Sofie Bishop of Roswell, Georgia from teacher to mill worker to alleged traitor and Union Captain Seth Ramsey, one of the officers charged with transporting the mill workers north.

While doing my research, I came across an article on vivandieres. Having never heard of these women who were part of a regiment, down the rabbit hole I went. Honestly, learning about these women was enlightening. I've never heard them mentioned in any history books, let alone a historical romance, either as the heroine or in a supporting role. There were the usual nurses, laundresses, cooks, and soiled doves who traveled with the armies. But vivandieres...no!

A vivandiere was a woman who filled several roles as needed: water bearer; a seller/distributor of food and creature comfort items like whiskey and tobacco; a nurse, a laundress, a mascot for shoring up morale; and many other incidental ones that came up as circumstances warranted. There were similar ladies called cantinieres, but at least early on there was a distinction between the two; vivandieres could accompany a unit onto the battlefield, while the cantinieres were to remain behind in camp. It has been noted that vivandieres did occasionally fight with their men.

Uniforms of vivandieres in the American Civil War varied from regiment to regiment. All had in common a knee-length skirt worn over full trousers, a tunic or jacket, and a hat. This style of costume was similar to bathing costumes depicted in fashion magazines of the period and was suitable for the outside exercise required of vivandieres who lived and marched with their regiments. There was a great deal of variation in trim and materials.

  

Mary Tepe

When the Civil War began, French-born Mary Tepe and her husband Bernard both joined the 27th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry Regiment, popularly known as Collis’ Zouaves. 
French Mary Tepe owed her nickname to her accent. In her role as a Zouave vivandiere, French Mary Tepe wore a blue jacket, red pants, and a blue skirt trimmed in red. She participated in the Battle of Fredericksburg (December 13, 1862), during which she received a bullet wound to one of her ankles. After a short hospitalization, Tepe rejoined her regiment. In July 1863, Mary and the 114th PA fought at the Battle of Gettysburg. When the battle was over, Mary volunteered her services as a nurse. A few weeks later, her nursing work at Gettysburg completed, she continued with her regiment and served throughout the remainder of the American Civil War.

Annie Etheridge

In April 1861, Annie Ethridge joined nineteen other women who enlisted as vivandieres with the Second Michigan Volunteer Regiment. Annie served throughout the rest of the war with the Third and Fifth Michigan Regiments. She became famous for her bravery under fire; after a battle, her skirt was always riddled with bullets. She carried pistols for her protection, saddlebags filled with medical supplies, and she frequently rode on horseback to the line of battle to aid wounded soldiers. She served at the First and Second Bull Run, Antietam, Gettysburg, and Fredericksburg. 

‘Gentle Annie,’ as she was called, worked for the Hospital Transport Service, which ferried wounded soldiers to military hospitals in the North aboard old paddle wheel boats that had been converted to be used for that purpose. Annie was used as a shield at one point -- some cowardly officer squeezed in behind Annie and her mare to shield himself from the fighting. Surprised, she turned to speak to him (and probably was going to tell him to get back into the fighting) when a stray minie ball struck him, killing him.

Kady Brownell 

 In the early 1860s, Kady McKenzie worked as a weaver in the mills of Providence, where she met and fell in love with Robert Brownell. With the outbreak of the Civil War in April 1861, Robert joined the 1st Rhode Island Infantry; Kady was determined to serve with him. 

 At the First Battle of Bull Run (July 1861), she held the regimental flag high as Confederate bullets were flying all around her. After enlisting in the 5th Rhode Island Infantry with her new husband, she served at the Battle of New Bern, North Carolina (1862). Brownell remained in New Bern after the battle, caring for her wounded husband. After his recovery he was deemed unfit for battle, and both were discharged.

 

                                                                                   Lavinia Williams of the 1st Louisiana Tigers

Calculating the exact number of women who served as vivandieres is nearly impossible. Neither North nor South recognized the service of vivandieres and they are rarely mentioned in official records. Their courage and brave deeds are recorded in personal accounts and post-war regimental histories. 

Armed with this fascinating information on those brave, intrepid women, a vivandiere or two will be featured in "Winning the Widow's Heart" coming late 2022/early 2023.

Pre-Order Available June 1st

Releases July 15th

Mended Hearts Series

Available on Kindle Unlimited and Amazon

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Into the Mouth of Babes - Short History of Baby Bottles by Jo-Ann Roberts

Some months ago, Author Pam Crooks asked me if I might be interested in a multi-author project, The Love Train series, with nine other authors. All the couples would meet on the Union Pacific, their fledging romance aided by a matchmaking conductor, a baggage handler, and a dog named Scruffy. Their stories would then move to a town, city, or ranch.

Never having been part of a project of this sort, I agreed...whole-heartedly! 

In short order I had my conflict. plot, characters, and setting. Yet, I needed a reason which would keep the hero and heroine in close proximity with one another once they got off the train. A random news segment on our local television station related the feel-good story of a soldier at Fort Bragg who was awarded custody of his two nieces after the sudden death of his sister. He and his fiancé then pushed up their wedding date so they could adopt the children before he left for overseas duty.

Bingo! I had my motive...Lucas Harmon needs a woman to care for his nieces, five-year old Lily, and 6-months old, June in his home.  Caring for a five-year old seemed pretty straightforward but how would he dress, change, and particularly, feed an infant? 

So, there I went, down the rabbit hole to gather information.

Baby Bottles

Before the baby bottle came into use, milk was spoon fed to infants or given via a cow's horn fitted with a chamois at the small end as a nipple. When baby bottles were adopted during the Industrial Revolution, many popular designs evolved. Some were submarine-shaped and made from metal, glass, or pottery. They had a circular opening in the top that could be plugged with a cork. The other end tapered to a hole with a rim for securing a nipple. Another popular design was a sprouted feeder, which resembled a teapot, with a handle and spout. The nipple opening of both types of bottles was covered with punctured chamois cloth, parchment or a sponge.

Charles Windship of Roxbury, Massachusetts patented the first glass nursing bottle in 1841. According to his patent on file...

...the formation of this remedy enables the child to think that it derives its nourishment 

directly from the mother, as it feeds in the natural position."

Another variant, a glass flask was introduced in 1860. These bottles were often in the shape of a banjo with a rubber straw which allowed children to feed themselves. These bottles were marketed with names like "The Alexandria", "Little Cherub", and "Mummy's Darling". 

However, the rubber tube that ran from the bottle to the nipple was a breeding ground for bacteria. And according to Mrs. Beeton (Mrs. Beeton's Household Management), she recommended only washing the bottles every 2-3 weeks!

In 1894, the first "banana" shaped feeder appeared on the market. Produced in England by Allen and Hanburys, it was marketed as being "most easily cleaned". The bottle was made   

of clear molded glass and has a flat base to keep it stable on a surface. At one end of the bottle there is a hole for pouring in the milk or feeding mixture. A metal cap is put on after filling. At the other end a similar hole, covered by a rubber nipple, lets the baby suck out the milk

Infant Formula

While advancements were being made in bottle production, advancements were also being made in the field of infant formula.

 After an infant was weaned from breast, cow's or goat's milk, she was given a food called 'pap'.  The mixture which consisted of boiled milk or water was thickened with baked wheat flour and, sometimes, egg yolk. A more elaborate infant food, called panada, was made from bread, flour, and cereals cooked in a milk- or water-based broth.

With mother's milk as the ideal, many scientists tried to formulate nonhuman milk to resemble human milk. In 1865, a German scientist developed, patented, and marketed an infant food, first in a liquid form and then in a powdered form for better preservation. His formula---consisting of cow's milk, wheat and malt flour, and potassium bicarbonate--was considered the perfect infant food.

In 1835, William Newton patented evaporated milk.  And in 1853, Texan Gale Borden added sugar to the evaporated milk, canned the substance, and sold it as Eagle Brand Condensed Milk, which became a popular infant food.

By 1883, there were 27 patented brands of infant food. These products came in powdered form and consisted of sugars and starches that were to be added to milk. Name brands included Nestle's Food©, Horlick's Malted Milk©, Hill's Malted Biscuit Powder©, and Mellin's Food©. However, they were fattening but lacked valuable nutrients.  

Although it has taken hundreds of years, at least in the United States and in other developed countries, babies now have food that is sweet and clean. Mother’s milk is still recommended, but artificial infant feeding has come a very long way, indeed!

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Love Train Series

Commencing on April 1st and releasing every two weeks through August 15th, these sweet historical romances are penned by some of the most talented authors in the romance genre, and their stories are filled with light, laughter, suspense, and most importantly, a forever kind of love.

 

Some people come into your life as lessons…

Unexpected fatherhood finds former bank detective, Lucas Harmon desperate for a woman to care for his orphaned nieces. A governess…perhaps? A housekeeper…maybe? A wife…definitely not! Six years ago, the wealthy Chicago socialite he planned to wed, publicly spurned his affections. Despite his determination to guard his feelings, a meddling matchmaking conductor and an encounter with a past acquaintance threatens to upend his heart.

…some come as blessings

Anxious to leave behind the whispers and stares of two failed engagements, Boston socialite, Ainsley MacKenzie hopes for solitude on her way to New Hope, Kansas. But when the kindly conductor enlists her help to care for two orphaned girls, she couldn’t say no. Little did she know their uncle and guardian was the one man she couldn’t forget… Lucas Harmon.

Taking a chance, Ainsley offers Lucas an unusual (some might say, scandalous!) arrangement. She’ll look after the children, read them stories and cook their meals until Christmas, giving Lucas time to find a permanent replacement. Yet, the longer she cares for the family the more she longs to be part of it—whatever the risk to her heart.

Here's a link to view the books, authors, and release dates.

Click Here

https://www.amazon.com/Marrying-Mended-Hearts-Jo-Ann-Roberts-ebook/dp/B09JFRKMHD

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08BTYS8Q5