This article concerns the problem of the perception of the sutlers’ activities by Federal servicemen. Diaries and letters of the Union army’s officers and men are the main historical source. Four basic types of Union troops’ attitude towards were found as a result of a research. The first one is critical but not hateful, viewing sutler as an economic agent. He is just selling goods for profit under specific circumstances of war. Second type is purely negative. Union troops belonging to this type characterize sutler as an immoral profit-seeker. Attitude of this kind led to justification of robbing, use of violence, and offensive behavior towards sutlers. Third type of imagining sutler is viewing him as a part of the everyday life of the war, similar to the other aspects of military routine. Forth type includes different kinds of positive view of sutlers. It was formed by such factors as positive traits of specific sutler’s personality, fair ways of business, opportunity to become business partners, and even get voluntary help from him.