Camp Followers

Camp Followers are the sutlers and dealers in smallwares who follow an army. In India, owing to the peculiar habits and customs of the natives, and the large number of servants retained by European troops, the camp followers sometimes number four times the actual force: comprising servants, groomers, grass-cutters, mule and camel drivers, water-carriers, sutlers, snake-charmers, dancers, conjurers, and women. Even in European armies they are necessary; they are at all times under the control of the commanding officer, but only subject to military law when in the field.