During the American War for Independence, wives and children were allowed to follow the British army in limited numbers.  Those individuals who did not join their men on campaign often stayed behind in Regimental quarters. Women who were looked upon as being “industrious” (i.e. those who actively fulfilled a valuable role for the army such as laundress, nurse, or petty sutler) were sought over those who were considered idle. For their sustenance, wives and children of the army were allowed to draw reduced rations from the Regimental stores. If a wife accompanied her husband on campaign, she often joined his mess and occasionally assisted his mess with cooking. In other cases, she messed with other women. When a soldier was either in garrison or winter quarters, there were times where he could actually be excused from the duties of his mess so that he could sleep and dine with his wife - on the condition his well being was being maintained.  We in the 63rd Regiment of Foot are proud of the role our women and children play in our overall demonstration of the life and times of the British Soldier serving during the American Revolution.
 

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