She spiced her account with anecdotes about women such as Deborah Sampson, who disguised themselves as men and saw combat -- and about artillery Captain Andrew Moodie's wife, who loudly urged him to shoot a lieutenant for talking back to him. The lieutenant requested an immediate transfer.
Most CF's were married women who literally followed their men into the army because they had no place else to go. They made themselves useful and then some, nursing, washing, cooking, and occasionally dancing up a storm. They gave the war a human dimension which has too long been ignored. They also added depth to the difficult process by which people from different colonies slowly became American.
For those who want to order Ms. Mayer's superb book, send a check for $39.95 to University of South Carolina Press, 937 Assembly Street, Columbia SC 29208. Or call (803) 777-5243.