What is a Sutler?

A sutler is a civilian merchant who sells provisions to an army in the field, in camp, or in quarters. Sutlers sold wares from a  temporary tent or quarters, traveling with an army or to remote military outposts. A sutler would sell almost anything a soldier could desire. These were commodities of all descriptions and included camp equipment, clocks, watches, tobacco, clothing, drugs, games, jewelry, lanterns, locks, eating utensils, glasses and wallets.