On 5th April, 1797, at the end of the campaign in Italy, Bonaparte issued the following Army Order:

"..In spite of his (Bonaparte's) order dated 28th March, women continue to follow the army; he notices that it is principally the officers who persist in this abuse, bringing their women with them and thus setting an example for their men. He warns all officers that within five days they must arrange to send their women back. Any officer who has not done so within that period will be provisionally cashiered and his name reported to the War Minister. No unit may retain women in excess of the number of washer women and canteen workers laid down by regulation."

It was then necessary to issue a further order on l7th April:

". . . All women not authorized by the administration will be sent away from the division within twenty-four hours; in default of which they will be put under arrest by battalion commanders, daubed with black and exhibited for two hours in a public place."

From James Marshall Cornwall 'Marshal Massena' (OUP 1965)

Notes

18: Some Problems With Women
19: The Post Confederation German Army During the Campaign of 1814
20: Some Interesting Tactics for Wargamers from the Battle of Wagram 5th/6th July - 1809