Military Barbers

[KeystoneGuard]

I have been thinking lately about barbers during the war. Did the military have their own barbers or would citizen barbers follow the troops?

Also does anyone know of any such portrayal in re-enacting, not just a living history function but a legally licensed professional serving the needs at events authentically?

Thanks in advance.

[plankmaker]

I've seen some accounts of people being designated hair cutters because they were the ones with scissors. It seems that scissors were not that easily gotten during the CW and if you had them, you were kind of popular. I'll have to think about where I read about that. I think "Diary of a Deadman" talks about it some.

Mark Campbell
Piney Flats, TN

[Ross L. Lamoreaux]

Every couple of years there is serious discussion about someone wanting to do this impression at events, most of them actual barbers/beauticians. Inevitably it falls apart when folks start finding out the legal ramifications and licensing issues involved. A camp barber is one of the neatest impressions at a living history, one that is greatly underrepresented, but you do have to be careful in this day and age of litigiousness.

[tompritchett]

It is my understanding that usually the barbers where members of the unit who had that skill, or just had the untensils, prior to the war. Remember back in rural America many times haircuts were performed by a member of the family as a trip to town could take a half a day or more. I can remember my father-in-law talking about how when he was growing up it was such a big thing to go the county seat 10 miles away because it was always a full day trip by buggy.

[indguard]

And of course, the way they cut hair back then was quite different than how we do it now. Today we feather hair. Back then they only cut at length. That is why when you see photos of men there is often an odd bunching of hair at the ear, or heavy waves at the ear.

They didn't do crew cuts much, either. Most guys today wear hair that is far, far too closely cut than they did then.

Men's hair was not cut to even lengths across the head, it was just cut at the ends when it got long.

What I am saying here is that a period hair cut would look REAL bad in today's modern sensibilities and some reenactor that would agree to a civil war style cut would have to be ready not to fit in real well in the modern world as far as his hair cut goes.

WTH
The BarberPole mess

[Trimmings]

They didn't do crew cuts much, either. Most guys today wear hair that is far, far too closely cut than they did then.

Save for those who were freshly shorn due to lice. Find the quote about the Tarheel prisoners, and you can win the prize.

Didn't you catch lice from some Virginians in Longstreet's Corps years ago?

[Ross L. Lamoreaux]

And of course, the way they cut hair back then was quite different than how we do it now. Today we feather hair. Back then they only cut at length. That is why when you see photos of men there is often an odd bunching of hair at the ear, or heavy waves at the ear.

They didn't do crew cuts much, either. Most guys today wear hair that is far, far too closely cut than they did then.

Men's hair was not cut to even lengths across the head, it was just cut at the ends when it got long.

What I am saying here is that a period hair cut would look REAL bad in today's modern sensibilities and some reenactor that would agree to a civil war style cut would have to be ready not to fit in real well in the modern world as far as his hair cut goes.

WTH
The BarberPole messBut with hair like mine, I haven't fit in any segment of society other than historical venues!http://i186.photobucket.com/albums/x29/Ross4thUSInfy/Rossavatar.jpg

[indguard]

Didn't you catch lice from some Virginians in Longstreet's Corps years ago?

A grizzly memory, for sure. Virginians! What's up wit DAT?

But, you are correct, of course, on the lice hair cuts. It just wasn't a common way to cut hair, though. Well, unless you were a prisoner! LOL

Ross,

I have to say, I can see how you might... um... shall we say, look distinctive at the minimart on the way home? I used to sport a nice set of major chops a while back. Everyone assumed I was a biker!

I remember one time, on the way to Wilson's Creek (back in the early 90s) I was giving a 17-year-old unit mate a ride and we stopped in a McDonald's. We went to order, I ordered a diner and Blossom (that was our nickname for him) wasn't hungry so he didn't order anything. He was in his Civil War clothes, but I was just in jeans and a T-Shirt. The idiot server leaned over toward me, put her hand up to her mouth and whispered to me, "Would your Amish son like some free cookies?"

Seriously. Amish son? And did I LOOK old enough then to have a 17-year-old son? And... and... if HE was Amish, why wasn't I? How many fathers do you know whose sons convert to Amishness, er Amishnism, or Amishanality er whatever?

Ah... good times.

WTH
The IGottaMillionOfEm mess

[Rob Weaver]

In "Hardtack and Coffee," Billings writes about barbers being members of the unit who wanted to pick up some spare $$. They may or may not have had experience. To a certain extent, if all people want is a trim, that's pretty easy to do. It's easier to shave someone else than yourself, so if you had a razor, you may have found people desperate enough for a shave. My understanding is that in the pre-war Army, barbering was then as it is now, a contract civilian job.
I used to hang out a shingle on my tent that said "Barber. Shave 12 cents, Haircut 12 cents." A kid at one event turned to his dad and went "Can I have a quarter?" I didn't charge him, but sat him up on the stump in front of the tent, snipped around the back of his head while making commentary - "Oh, well, your hat will cover that until it grows back in," etc. Then I lathered his face. I didn't use the razor at all on him, but used it as a demonstration, punctuated with "Is this what it looks like when your Dad shaves?" Best public interaction I had that season!
I sometimes shave myself and find that it draws a crowd. If I draw blood the crowd gets bigger, and little boys say things like "Is that real blood?" "Look, he's really bleeding." "That's really red."

[tompritchett]

But with hair like mine, I haven't fit in any segment of society other than historical venues!

I can definitely understand that sentiment. The reason that I grew out my sideburns was because without them I looked too Amish. It is particularly noticable when I am have my hair in its summer (shorter) cut as it becomes apparent that it is a deliberate cut and not just an attempt at growing my hair long.

[Ross L. Lamoreaux]

Here's one of our camp butcher, er barber at work. This is why I keep my beard as evidenced by the grimace on my face:
http://i186.photobucket.com/albums/x29/Ross4thUSInfy/Foster.jpg

[Regular DOC]

They didn't do crew cuts much, either. Most guys today wear hair that is far, far too closely cut than they did then.


Agreed problem is some like myself have to keep our hair really short for various reasons. Mine being military but there are others. I use the had to shave because lice etc. though that may not hold weight as a Surgeon. but hey who knows.

[bob 125th nysvi]

liscencing requirements only come into play if you cut someone's hair for profit so if someone in th eunti wanted to do it for fun I don't think they need a liscence.

Heck my dad cut my hair for years to save money. Of course it was the same army crewcut he had in korea but it wasn't like I had a choice.

[Green Minnesota SS]

I started a topic some time back this year, about my girlfriends' sister who wanted set up a Barber/Salon Shop. She is license by the State of Ohio. So after getting some peoples thoughts and concerns, we thought that we would try this thing out.

After getting period scissors and period correct hot irons. She practiced cutting my hair to look like some period photos I had and she practiced on my girlfriend, with period hairstyles. Now this was a plus for women to have something other than putting their hair up in a bun.

Now with her wanting to make some profit, who can blame her, with her taking an hour or two for just one hairstyle. It would've been a small fee but well worth it for the weekend. But after some questions answered but the state and her personal job promotion we decided to dump the idea until a further time.

Now what I would say about this, within the State of Ohio atleast, to get around this is to do it without looking to make any profit what so ever. Don't set up a tent on sutler row announce that you're cutting hair. I would set up something within your unit or group, and do your business with people you know or trust. And again the main point again you cannot accept payment of anyform.

That's just my thoughts and what I can remember what was told to us by State of Ohio officals. I'm sure there is more that others can tell you.

[flattop32355]

A couple or three years ago, I can't remember whether here or on another forum, I suggested doing the barber impression using an unsharpened/blunt blade to someone considering the impression, to avoid the said potential legal problems.

As I recall, I caught a MAJOR amount of flak for even suggesting such a thing.

It obviously won't work on a fellow with heavy stubble or full whiskers, but as a simulation on a fairly clean-shaven fellow, particularly at a mainstream event, I think it would show another instance of camp life, and possibly draw some spectators to watch the action.

Accurate? Not in the sense of someone actually getting a real shave, but accurate in the sense that such did happen in camp.

A person who had the actual skill and training could put on a nice show for real, if so desired, and maybe pocket as much as a whole dollar a day!

[Green Minnesota SS]

Now that wouldn't be a bad idea though. Just an impression of what barber did in camp. With a person with a clean shave already, as you suggested, with cream already on his face. When you start to "shave" him it would look like you're actually shaving him. How are the public going to really know? That isn't a bad idea.

[Mint Julep]

I have been thinking lately about barbers during the war. Did the military have their own barbers or would citizen barbers follow the troops?

Also does anyone know of any such portrayal in re-enacting, not just a living history function but a legally licensed professional serving the needs at events authentically?

Thanks in advance.

I've read this thread a couple of times. I keep coming back to the question it raises for me:

Why would anyone want to set up a barber shop on sutler row? Do you really think there are that many people that will get a haircut that you could cover the cost of the space on sutler row?

I've cut someone's hair at an event before. My company captain had gotten divorced and his wife used to cut his hair for him. He handed me a pair of scissors and asked me to cut some off. I expect that is how it happened quite often back then. "Here, friend, cut some of this long hair off me. My head needs to breathe!"

I think you will find that most states only require a license if you advertise services, offer services, perform services and with the expectation of payment for services.

I'm hoping someone will open a barbershop for at least a day at the Westville 2010 event. I'd let my hair and beard grow a bit just to have that extra little experience.

[KeystoneGuard]

Well it looks to me like there is a need at least for a living history demo of this trade. I am currently looking at attending barber school and acquiring my PA state Barber License. I have the opportunity to own a Barber Shop that has been in business since 1950. A traditional barber is getting harder to find in my area let alone someone who portrays one at events.

[captdougofky]

I can definitely understand that sentiment. The reason that I grew out my sideburns was because without them I looked too Amish. It is particularly noticable when I am have my hair in its summer (shorter) cut as it becomes apparent that it is a deliberate cut and not just an attempt at growing my hair long.


Tom
This hair thing is making me feel bad, If I had any on top I'd let it grow. I wouldn't need a barber then or now.
Always Doug
Happy New Year to everyone on the forum

[KarinTimour]

Gentlemen:

Whether or not to charge a profit may get a potential camp barber out from under some state regulations. But a caution about the larger cost of this impression. Others have mentioned that people like to sue other people in this day and age. Using the same razor to shave more than one person can potentially spread blood borne illnesses like hepatitis and HIV.

If someone finds out they are infected, who are they more likely to blame -- their spouse or "that guy who was shaving a bunch of people with the same razor?"

"But Reenactors don't get those diseases."

Many people who have HIV or hepatitis don't know they are infected. Many of us haven't ever been tested for them. These infections take a long time to get to symptoms -- HIV can take 10 or more years, hepatitis can take 20 years or more.

According to the CDC website (www.cdc.gov) in 2006 there were an estimated 3.2 million Americans with Hepatitis C infection, and 19,000 new infections every year. Hepatitis B is a little smaller at 1.32 million infected Americans with 46,000 new infections each year.

Current estimates are that there are about 1 million Americans with HIV infection, and approximately 27% of these people don't know they are infected. Revised estimate of new HIV infections each year: 56,000.

"But those people will look sick, reeanctors have to be healthy to participate in the hobby."

You can't tell by looking at them, and as I stated above, a large number of people who are infected don't know themselves.

"But that's only people in New York City and California, not out here in rural areas with lots of cows and trees."

I couldn't find state by state breakout numbers for hepatitis.

The most current figures on HIV infection were listed only by region. The CDC divides the country into 4 regions: Northeast, South, Midwest and West.
The number one region for per capita rates of HIV infection has shifted as of 2006 from the Northeast to the South. The South is all states south of the Mason/Dixon line, south of the Ohio River, includes Oklahoma and Arkansas as well as Texas and Louisiana.

Here's a state ranking for 2006 of the states with the highest amount of "non-metroplitan" (aka outside of cities) cases of HIV. Keep in mind that to figure on this list you have to have rural population -- so the District of Columbia, the "state" with the highest per capita rate of HIV infection, is completely off the list.

States with the highest amount of new HIV infections reported in 2006 in "non-metroplitan" areas (translation: outside of big cities):
1. Georgia
2. North Carolina
3. Illinois
4. Florida
5. Pennsylvannia
6. Mississippi
7. Washington
8. Maine
9. Delaware
10. South Carolina
11. Texas
12. New York
13. Louisiana

States with highest amount of new AIDS cases reported in "non-metropolitan" areas (aka not in cities)
1. North Carolina
2. Florida
3. Georgia
4. Mississippi
5. Louisiana
6. New York
7. Texas and Pennsylvannia tied for seventh place
8. Illinois
9. Alabama
10. Arkansas
11. Tennessee

Think twice before taking on this impression, the cost may be much greater than you even imagined.

Sincerely,
Karin Timour
Email: Ktimour@aol.com

[FloridaConfederate]

Singular cause of death.

--On Friday of last week Mr. Daniel S. Burgan, school commissioner of the
12th district, Baltimore co., Md., attended the normal class meeting at Baltimore, and while in the city went to a barber shop and got shaved, the razor cutting a small pimple on his cheek. He returned home and the same night the cut pimple became inflamed, erysipelas set in, and the swelling quickly extending over his face, neck and breast, caused his death on Tuesday. The Daily Dispatch: December 17, 1860

Chris Rideout
Tampa, Florida

[KeystoneGuard]

Completely understood and thank you for your insight. My current career field requires me to be up-to date with blood borne pathogen procedures and policies. At this point in time I would merely present the impression and not actually carry out the job as a Barber until further schooling and state law research.

[FloridaConfederate]

Headq'rs Co. "G," 1st Reg Va. Vol., June 8, 1861.

Seeing that you requested, through the columns of your paper, that you might have correspondence with the military of the different camps, I take this opportunity to drop you a few lines. We are quartered in a large barn and stable, having to drive out the horses and cows previous to taking possession. It would have amused you to have seen our boys looking for a soft place on the floor to rest their wearied limbs, having marched a distance of four miles in the middle of the night. We are all in high spirits and "spoiling for a fight." Old Abe's minions will certainly suffer at our hands if he would but just give us a chance. We are expecting him every night. Our pickets are very watchful.

Just at this time of my writing, I see on my left our 4th Corporal, J. McD., seated on a flour barrel, being shaved by W. H. D., better known as "Rectus," in which he handles the razor with the air of an experienced barber. The job being done, he demands the pay, but our Corporal could not agree to settle until he had combed his hair, which, being done, he settles the account. "Rectus" keeps the boys in a roar of laughter, as usual.

The military in this section are highly pleased with their General, G. T. Beauregard. He has inspired our troops with renewed energy, and we feel that we shall conquer the aggressors of our beloved soil, trusting in the God of Battles, who declares that the battle is not to the strong.

Sibe.

P. S.--Our boys are in fine health, and want for nothing, except the officers, who left their baggage at Camp Pickens, and cannot get it forwarded.

Chris Rideout
Tampa, Florida

[FloridaConfederate]

MANY civilian barbers for hire were Negros. I have run across accounts of Negro barbers, North and South.


Free Negro operatives. July 16, 1861

--Several hundred free men of color were listed at the City Hall yesterday to serve in completing the fortifications now being erected below this city. We noticed in our perambulations yesterday that many of the barber → shops had been closed, the operatives therein having been withdrawn for the purpose above named. This class of the colored population is confessedly superior in intelligence, worth and breeding to their compatriots, and are, besides, of great value to the male white population who are unaccustomed to the shaving process, and who have been in the habit of availing themselves of the barbers' skill. We had hoped they would have escaped the "impressment" authorized by the Convention and Common Council. It seems certain to us that a ← barber who has been in the habit of wielding nothing heavier than a razor will necessarily make a very unproductive hand at rolling a wheelbarrow or shoveling dirt. The barbers have, however, evinced no unwillingness to serve the State; on the contrary, if allowed, would furnish substitutes. The only question is, whether they cannot benefit the community more in their original position than in the one that has been assigned them.


CJ Rideout
Tampa, Florida

[KarinTimour]

Dear Andre:

Ok, glad to hear you're up to speed on blood borne disease. I join with everyone else in thinking that it would be fun to see -- and I always feel torn about being a wet blanket on the discussion.

I know most people don't think about these diseases on a daily basis, so it's easy to overlook the risks. But I do HIV education and just about every day meet people who are recently infected, so it's much on my mind. When I hear this discussion of camp barbering recur, if no one mentions the risk of transmission, I feel compelled to bring up the warnings again.

I think this impression could be done safely, with a little education and the proper precautions. Just want to raise awareness of what's at stake if someone wants to undertake either to be a barber or to evaluate the risks of being a customer of a field barber.

Sincerely,
Karin Timour
Period Knitting -- Socks, Sleeping Hats, Balaclavas
Atlantic Guard Soldiers' Aid Society
Email: Ktimour@aol.com

[KeystoneGuard]

Awareness and education are necessary, glad to hear your career is just that! I worry about my fiance`, who is a RN, on a daily basis. I believe that merely an impression vs. actual practice would be more practical for many reasons. Performing a hair cut and a straight razor shave are two different animals.

[FloridaConfederate]

Most period references (if not all I have read) refer to the barber, from the Latin Barba for beard ,shaving and not cutting hair.

and then the preponderate majority of those have been Negros or Mulattoes.

I am not convinced a white guy cutting hair is acurately indicative of what the period connotation of a "barber" is.

Chris "Figaro" Rideout
El Barba de Seville'

[KarinTimour]

Dear Chris:

Erysipelas is one of the many things that modern people have treatment for that period people didn't. In addition to your example, it killed both John Dryden and Jame Bailey (of Barnum and Bailey Circus fame) and was a very common complication of treatment in a Civil War hospital. Kate Cummings, in her account of working in Confederate hospitals mentions two nurses who got it after piercing their ears and working in a ward with active cases while their ears were healing. We know it as a bacterial infection caused by a variety of strep and treat it with antibiotics. It's still out in the environment, but we rarely die of it these days.

Andre: I agree a haircut and shave are two different procedures -- the issue will also be to make the distinction, as when you're known as the barber, most people will be more interested in a shave than a haircut.

Sounds like you're thinking through the various challenges posed by this impression with common sense, best of luck with it.

Sincerely,
Karin Timour
Period Knitting -- Socks, Sleeping Hats, Balaclavas
Atlantic Guard Soldiers' Aid Society
Email: Ktimour@aol.com

[KeystoneGuard]

Yes indeed. Much thought is going into both the impression and possibly the career change. If nothing else this thread has fueled my curiosity and knowledge.

[IPBarnard]

In my youth I dated a hairstylist that used a straight razor for cutting hair that used replaceable single edge razor blades. I have always thought that this would be needed to avoid any health complications.

Mark C. Foster

[swampfox17]

I have been thinking lately about barbers during the war. Did the military have their own barbers or would citizen barbers follow the troops?

Also does anyone know of any such portrayal in re-enacting, not just a living history function but a legally licensed professional serving the needs at events authentically?

Thanks in advance.

interesting idea

[Don Dixon]

My impression is that, in the field, military barbers in the Civil War were generally other soldiers. One of my great grandfathers was a soldier in the 23rd Ohio Infantry. There were a number of Smiths and Schmidts in the unit, so they were given nicknames. Since he cut the other troops' hair, he was nicknamed "Hair Cut" Smith. COL Rutherford B. Hayes and MAJ William McKinley both knew him by that name, and he was a friend of both.

Regrds,
Don Dixon

[swampfox17]

does anyoen do the impression though

[Rob Weaver]

If you go back to the first page, to my post of nearly 2 years ago, the short answer is "yes." However, it's not an "impression" as such, but a function that you pick up if the time and situation is good for it. I would also recommend that you don't actually cut anyone else's hair and NEVER SHAVE ANYONE ELSE WITH A CUTTHROAT RAZOR. It's just too easy to mess up. When I was learning to use a razor, I asked my barber to teach me. He, a third generation barber, said "My dad had a sign with his prices in his shop. The bottom one read 'straightrazor shave: $500.' He never had a taker."
Camp barbering is fun for living history settings. All you really need are a pair of scissors, a mirror, your shaving gear and a homemade sign to hang out. If you can rig up a barbering chair, or even find an old kitchen chair in which to seat your victim, I mean customer, all the better.

[swampfox17]

good point

[Silas]

Sharp statement.