The Military System of the Marathas, with a Brief Account of Their Maritime Activities c12.27

c12.27

The private had perhaps some justification in bringing his wife with him, for the camp attendants were few and generally the halt was brief.² So, while he looked after the needs of his horse, his wife could cook his food and administer to his comforts. But whatever the excuse for bringing them, women and children are encumbrances which an army can hardly afford, at least during a season of active operations.