Three young women posing in Zouave uniforms, full standing studio portrait, circa 1860s

Containers:

Box 3, Image RL.11785-P-0495

Physical description:

16 1/2 x 10 3/4 cm; albumen; card mount

Scope and content:

Printed on front: Bridge & Merrow / Skowhegan, Card de visite mount is dark brown with gold toned lettering. The women are wearing what were called "Zouave" uniforms; they were either showing their support for Civil War Union troops, probably from Maine, or they actually served in some capacity with a Union troop.

Biographical / historical:

Bridge and Merrow are one of three photographers listed in an 1871 directory for Skowhegan, Maine. "By 1859, many local militia regiments in the United States had adopted the name 'Zouave,' wore colorful uniforms, and adopted the practice of having a "daughter of the regiment" in their ranks...Vivandieres did not fight in battles but were often armed, earned honors, and were sometimes captured by the enemy. Their most important contribution was the essential medical care they provided as field nurses...Neither North nor South recognized the service of vivandieres and they are rarely mentioned in official records." [Source: Women in the Civil War: Vivandieres, Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History blog post, 3/2012, viewed December 5, 2022] https://www.gilderlehrman.org/news/women-civil-war-vivandieres

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