Thousands of women contributed to the American Revolution by taking an active part in military front. These women maintained an almost permanent residece in the military camps were mostly spouses or daughter of officers or soldiers and became known as “camp followers”. (1) Most were seeking safety, shelter, food and work. As food was in short supply, even for the soldiers, the ones who were blessed enough to be allowed to remain in camp, were given anywhere from ¼ – 1 full provision of food depending upon their usefulness and the jobs they performed. Most women earned their food by doing laundry and sewing for the soldiers and the officers. Laundresses were permitted to stay in camp as a reward for their own or their spouse' service, even if their spouse died during the war. Another way for the women to earn money or food war was through nursing. Female nurses were preferred to men, because it meant one more soldier free for the front line. Though nurses were in high demand, being in this position would bring hazards, such as exposure to many diseases such as smallpox.(2)
One of the most remarkable females during the Revolution was Deborah Sampson. Her eagerness to dodge labor on her families farm was what drove her to masquerade as a man and join the Army under the name of Timothy Thayer in 1772. When she didn't report for duty after a evening out drinking, her actual identity was uncovered. She subsequently reenlisted in May 1782, under the name of Robert Shurtleff, under Captain George Webb's Co. 4th Massachusetts Regiment. During 1783, she was named aide de camp (non-combat lieutenant), to General John Paterson at West Point, after participating in several battles. Shortly after, in the summer of 1783 falling ill with fever, the truth was found out by a doctor who treated her condition. She recieved an honorable discharge shortly after her recovery.(1)
Mary Catherine Goddard was appointed Baltimore's first postmaster in 1775 by Benjamin...