Vivandière / Daughter of the Regiment

Women — often officers' wives or daughters — embedded with infantry regiments in semi-official capacity. Sold food and drink, carried water under fire, dressed wounds at the regimental aid station, and in some cases carried regimental colors. Wore custom Zouave-style uniforms.

The Story

French immigrant Marie Tepe ("French Mary") and Anna Etheridge of the 3rd Michigan were the only two women among 300 recipients of the Kearny Cross. Tepe was wounded at Fredericksburg carrying brandy to wounded men under fire — and still wasn't a soldier, on paper.