Sutler Collection

Trading post at Fort Laramie, Oregon Trail
Beaver trap on a Hudson Bay blanket in the reconstructed trading post at Fort Laramie, Wyoming. Digital photograph

Miss Sanxay as Hebe in Les Gods de l'Olympe in Paris by Clairville, Theatre du Vaudeville, 1846
FLO4631719 Miss Sanxay as Hebe in Les Gods de l'Olympe in Paris by Clairville, Theatre du Vaudeville, 1846. She's dressed as a Cantiniere, sutler

Two Civil War Sutler's Chits (camp money)
3029243 Two Civil War Sutler's Chits (camp money); Private Collection; (add.info.: United States Civil War, Two Civil War Sutler's Chits (camp money)); © Don Troiani

Woman in costume as a Vivandiere or sutler, 1880s (lithograph)
5893492 Woman in costume as a Vivandiere or sutler, 1880s (lithograph); (add.info.: Woman in costume of a sutler to the French Guards (Vivandiere, Garde Francaise) for a masquerade ball, Paris

Military goods suppliers handbill of items for sale
3029338 Military goods suppliers handbill of items for sale; Private Collection; (add.info.: Military goods suppliers handbill of items for sale); © Don Troiani. All Rights Reserved 2022.

Staircase of the National Gallery, Berlin, Germany (b / w photo)
6016718 Staircase of the National Gallery, Berlin, Germany (b/w photo) by American Photographer (19th century) (after); Private Collection; (add.info.: Staircase of the National Gallery, Berlin)

Thanksgiving in Camp, published by Harpers Weekly, November 29
2972783 Thanksgiving in Camp, published by Harpers Weekly, November 29, 1862 (wood engraving on paper) by Homer, Winslow (1836-1910); 28.8x40.8 cm; The Art Institute of Chicago, IL

Woman in costume as a sutler to the musketeers (Vivandiere des Mousquetaires) for a masquerade ball. Handcoloured lithograph by A. Morlon published by Martinet, Paris, 1880s

Marguerite Chapuy, French soprano, in the opera Carmen
Marguerite Chapuy, French soprano, in the role of Micaela in Bizets opera Carmen at the Theatre de l Opera Comique, 1875. Handcoloured lithograph by Chatiniere published by Martinet, Paris, 1875

Woman in costume as a Vivandiere or sutler
Woman in costume of a sutler to the French Guards (Vivandiere, Garde Francaise) for a masquerade ball, Paris, late 19th century. She carries a barrel of rum and a glass

Woman in fancy-dress costume of a demon
Woman in a costume by Sylvestre of a demon (diablesse) for a masquerade ball, Paris, late 19th century. Handcoloured lithograph by Ch. Fernique after an illustration by E

German soldiers wearing harem pants, late 16th century. Chief sutler with his arms raised, and infantry chief in armour and helmet with short staff. From color pen drawings in the possession of C

Suttling Booth, 1808 circa (etching)
5925883 Suttling Booth, 1808 circa (etching) by Atkinson, John Augustus (1775-1831) (after); National Army Museum, London; (add.info.: Suttling Booth, 1808 circa)

Christmas Boxes in Camp - Christmas, 1861 (Harpers Weekly, Vol. VI), January 4, 1862

At the Sutlers Store, 1861-65. Creator: Unknown
At the Sutlers Store, 1861-65. Formerly attributed to Mathew B. Brady

Supplies in the Fort Laramie trading post, Oregon Trail
Shelves of supplies in the reconstructed trading post at Fort Laramie, Wyoming. Digital photograph

Fort Laramie trading post, Wyoming
Trading post reconstructed at Fort Laramie on the Oregon Trail, Wyoming. Photograph

Sutlers Row, Chattanooga, Tennessee, during the American Civil War, 1861 -1865. Some of the businesses shown are: Scott, Keen, & Company; M. C

Camp scene at a Sutlers store during American Civil War, 1861 -1865. This photo has been digitally restored

Franco-Prussian War: In the camp of Chalons: The sutler, France

The Sutler, Anthonie Constantijn Govaerts, 1825 - 1827

CIVIL WAR: SUTLERs TENT. Sutlers tent selling to 2d Division, 9th Corps in Petersburg, Virginia. Photograph, 1864

Franco-Prussian War: In the camp of Chalons: The sutler, France

CIVIL WAR: SUTLERs TENT. A sutlers tent of the Union Army. Pencil drawing, August 1862, by A. R. Waud
CIVIL WAR: SUTLERs TENT. A sutlers tent of the Union Army. Pencil drawing, August 1862, by A.R. Waud

CIVIL WAR: RESTAURANT. Business seems to be slow at Sutlers bomb proof Fruit & Oyster House on the Union Army line at the siege of Petersburg, Virginia, June 1864 to March 1864

CIVIL WAR: PAY DAY, 1863. A Descent on the Sutler. Pay day activities in the (Union) Army of the Potomac. Wood engraving after Winslow Homer, 1863

KANSAS: TRADING POST, 1867. Sutlers store at Fort Dodge, Kansas. American engraving, 1867

HSET2A-00103
Traders and soldiers in the sutlers store at Fort Dodge, Kansas, 1860s. Hand-colored woodcut of a 19th-century illustration

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"Sutler: A Glimpse into the Past" Step back in time and explore the world of sutlers, those fascinating figures who played a crucial role in various historical settings. From the trading post at Fort Laramie along the Oregon Trail to the chaos of the Civil War, these individuals left their mark on history. In 1863, amidst the turmoil of war, Mosby's Rangers embarked on daring raids behind Union lines. One such raid saw them targeting a Union sutler train, highlighting just how valuable these merchants were to both sides. Through a captivating wood engraving from that era, we catch a glimpse of this intense moment. Traveling across continents, our journey takes us to Berlin's National Gallery where an intriguing black and white photograph captures a staircase. Though seemingly unrelated at first glance, it serves as a reminder that even within grand institutions like galleries, sutlers had their place in history. As Thanksgiving arrives each year, memories resurface of soldiers celebrating this cherished holiday while stationed in camps during wartime. Harper's Weekly published an illustration titled "Thanksgiving in Camp, " reminding us that even amid conflict and uncertainty, moments of gratitude were shared by all – including sutlers. The image shifts once again as we encounter Marguerite Chapuy - French soprano extraordinaire - performing her role in Carmen. Dressed as a vivandiere or sutler for her performance brings forth questions about how these characters were portrayed throughout different art forms. Delving deeper into costume design reveals another facet of sutlers' influence – fancy-dress costumes depicting demons or other mythical creatures often included elements inspired by their attire. These enigmatic figures added intrigue and excitement to masquerades and festivities alike. Our exploration continues with German soldiers donning harem pants during late 16th century battles. While not directly linked to sutling activities themselves, it showcases how fashion choices could transcend borders and eras, leaving an indelible mark on history.