Camp follower is a term used to identify
civilians and their children who follow armies. There are two common types of camp followers; first, the wives and children of soldiers, who follow their spouse or parent's army from place to place; the second type of camp followers have historically been informal army service providers, servicing the needs of
encamped soldiers, in particular selling goods or services that the
military does not supply—these have included
cooking,
laundering,
liquor,
nursing,
sexual services and
sutlery.