Hey, longhair!

[colorsgt26nc]

For those few of you who have long hair, if you tie your hair back, how do you tie it back in a period appropriate fashion?

[Curt-Heinrich Schmidt]

Hallo!

While a complex and involved historical issue.. IMHO...

"For those few of you who have long hair, if you tie your hair back, how do you tie it back in a period appropriate fashion?'

There isn't a "period appropriate fashion" unless the question is for women's fashions or other nationalities such as the Chinese or Japanese..

;)

Others' mileage will vary...

CHS

[Rob]

I am going to assume, for the moment, that you are referring to the male of the species.

In all the period photographs which I have seen, I do not recall a single one showing a soldier with hair long enough to have to worry about it.

Long hair was pretty much out of fashion by the 1860s. Some of the older folks may have had it. It also made a good home for lice.

[Ross L. Lamoreaux]

Besides a fashion issue, most regulations forbade longer hair, particularly the federal side as hair was to be kept closely cropped, in part for sanitary reasons (lice, etc.). Like above, after viewing hundreds of images from the war, I too have yet to see anyone with hair long enough to tie back, with two confederate exceptions, and their hair was worn loosely and not tied (not counting the images of Edmund Ruffin who was pretty eccentric anyway). Since this doesn't exactly answer the immediate question, those who I know with longer hair who reenact either wear it loose or in a couple of progressive cases pull it up into their caps or hats to avoid the scorn of their compatriots.

[bob 125th nysvi]

really boils down to long hair was NOT PEC and is way over represented in reenactor ranks.

That being said before we can give an opinion we'd need to know how long are we talking.

If your hair is shoulder length I suspect any real CW soldiers who had that length hair (and there had to be a couple) would have probably done nothing to it other than put on a hat.

If it had been long enough for a ponytail (say to shoulder blades) what was the style for handling that length hair in the decades before the CW? Anybody wearing that length was a throw back who probably wore that style because an older male relative did. Therefore it is likely he would have emulated that gentleman in everything.

But long hair was probably tied back (using something simple) for the simple reason that free flowing long hair could get stuck in your accoutriments or knapsack. Having it pulled by your gear for a day's march would teach you to tie it back out of the way.

And they would have kept it simple since hair maintenance in the field would have been a pain (to say nothing of dirty).

SO if you want to keep you period inapproriate hair (because you like it in your real life which is fine) then just tie it back using a piece of cloth. But not a bandana or anything like that. Let's keep farby to a minimum.

One other option though. Are you from a unit where something other than a forage cap is appropriate. Maybe you could just stuff it up in the hat and be done with it.

[jgr1974]

Don't mean to hijack this thread but what of the complete oposite? I keep my head shaved, not completely but close, since I work in law enforcement. Long hair can be used as a handle when subdueing an uncooperative subject. It works great too!!! On the AC forum there was some talk of head shaving. I beluieve in refference to the poor whites who worked in the sugar cane fields. If I remember they were called sap heads. Hot work and sticky cane would want one to keep his hair short!

The Mad MIck!!!

[jerryeberg]

Be like Edmund Ruffin...
http://www.krigsspil.dk/images/acw/edmund_ruffin.jpg

I also remember a previous thread about bald soldiers. If I remember right, it claimed that they did exist, but as a way to control lice and was not common. It was not a fashion.

[Poor Private]

Then I guess about 1/2 the reenactors I know bettter get out and try to get some donations for the hair club for men. Since I am naturally bald, I keep the fringe trimmed and sometime in the hot summer just get a complete shave job. It's one of those reenactorisms. ;-) We can do what we can do.

[bob 125th nysvi]

is easier to get away with as long as you are wearing a hat.

Besides you can always use the excuse if asked that you had lice and had to shave your head to get rid of the infestation. That even would cover a short buss cut too. It's just starting to grow back.

A completely appropriate period cover for the situation.

Besides if we are going to get that picky a lot of use are going to need to get younger, fitter, some hair coloring and wrinkle remover.

Hair length or style is an easy (an inexpensive) thing to be accurate with and actually just simply not combing your hair can move the inappropriate 'part on the side' hair cut to a more acceptable look.

[Poor Private]

Now Bob don't get me started on coloring hair.....Don't forget it's just not head hair but ya got to do the facial also..... Nothing like a regiment of Santa Clauses in an event. Round bellies, white hair, white facial hair, glasses and just a touch past middle age. Wait I resemble that remark.

[Swag]

I believe it is all about practicality, longer hair is just a pain, especially on campaign. First, like many of you already said it makes a fine home for little beasties like lice and ticks. Second and most important in my honest opinion, is the fact that with long hair, plus a hat, you will tend to over heat quicker then if you had shorter hair. I have recently just cut my hair, took off about 4 inches ; granted it was not to long before to be non-period, but long enough to be uncomfortable. Any how, after cutting it I noticed straight away that not only my head but my whole body stayed a bit cooler then when my hair was longer. Lets face it, hair is a insulator and it is very good at its job. I think also we must take in to consideration not only length but style.

[FloridaConfederate]

Prisioners from the Front Winslow Homer


http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii312/floridaconfederate/zoom2.jpg

[Ross L. Lamoreaux]

That image was exactly one of those that I mentioned in my above post as one of only two Confederates I'd seen with long hair (I'm sure there's more, just mentioned the ones I'd seen). Can't go wrong with Winslow Homer, even if he was the cousin of Francis Barlow.

[tompritchett]

Lets face it, hair is a insulator and it is very good at its job. I think also we must take in to consideration not only length but style.

And that is why I have two basic lengths that I wear it. During colder months, I let almost cover all my ears and start to come over my collar but during the warmer months, I just let it just start coming over my ears and just start coming down the nape of the neck (my profile is with the "Winter" cut).

[Swag]

Yep basically the same thing I do.

[Pvt Schnapps]

"In the field no man's hair should exceed half an inch in length; this is essential for the well-being and cleanliness of soldiers. It can only be carried out successfully when the officers of regiments and departments set the example. None except those who have worn their hair after such a fashion can appreciate the luxury it confers on service. No man can have that smart bearing, which is the outward mark of a soldier, who allows his hair to be so long that he can part it. A well-cropped head is the first great step towards cleanliness. The beard and whiskers should be cut close about once a week. Hair is the glory of a woman, but the shame of a man."

Sir Garnet Wolseley, "Soldier's Pocket-Book" (1869), p. 166

[TimKindred]

Prisioners from the Front Winslow Homer


http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii312/floridaconfederate/zoom2.jpg



Chris, while a lovely image, I wouldn't take that one literally, or uise it as an example to emulate. Homer painted that canvas as an illustration of the three stages of the Confederacy. Homer paid a lot of attention to details if uniforms, and often used his freinds as models for certain themes. However, he intentionally used the "gay cavalier" look for the center individual to illustrate the high point of CS martial arms, not directly as an example of the typical CS soldier.

Just sayin' :)

[FloridaConfederate]

Homer painted that canvas as an illustration of the three stages of the Confederacy. However, he intentionally used the "gay cavalier" look for the center individual to illustrate the high point of CS martial arms, not directly as an example of the typical CS soldier.

Just sayin' :)

A) I just posted a section of the painting..didnt offer any personal insight or emmulation otherwise.

B) This is not what the Metorpolitan Musuem of Art, which houses the piece states:

"
Prisoners from the Front, 1866
Winslow Homer (American, 1836–1910)
Oil on canvas; 24 x 38 in. (61 x 96.5 cm)
Gift of Mrs. Frank B. Porter, 1922 (22.207)

The material that Homer collected as an artist-correspondent during the Civil War provided the subjects for his first oil paintings. In 1866, one year after the war ended and four years after he reputedly began to paint in oil, Homer completed this picture, a work that established his reputation. It represents an actual scene from the war in which a Union officer, Brigadier General Francis Channing Barlow (1834–1896), captured several Confederate officers on June 21, 1864. The background depicts the battlefield at Petersburg, Virginia. Infrared photography and numerous studies indicate that the painting underwent many changes in the course of completion.

[tompritchett]

"In the field no man's hair should exceed half an inch in length; this is essential for the well-being and cleanliness of soldiers. It can only be carried out successfully when the officers of regiments and departments set the example. None except those who have worn their hair after such a fashion can appreciate the luxury it confers on service. No man can have that smart bearing, which is the outward mark of a soldier, who allows his hair to be so long that he can part it. A well-cropped head is the first great step towards cleanliness. The beard and whiskers should be cut close about once a week. Hair is the glory of a woman, but the shame of a man."

Sir Garnet Wolseley, "Soldier's Pocket-Book" (1869), p. 166

From Wikipedia

Field Marshall Garnet Joseph Wolseley, 1st Viscount Wolseley KP OM GCB GCMG VD PC (4 June 1833–25 March 1913) was a British army officer. He served in Burma, the Crimean War, the Indian Mutiny, China, Canada, and widely throughout Africa - including his brilliantly executed Ashanti campaign (1873 - '74).

One critical thing should be noted which would have a major bearing on his comment that you quoted; he was a British officer who rose quickly through the ranks. He would rarely have to sleep on the ground with just a ground cloth and blanket for warmth. As has been mentioned several times, hair is an excellent insulator and can be critical in helping keep one warm on cold Spring and Autumn nights when one's heat is the only part of the body not under the blanket(s). That is why the modern military issues soldiers cocoon sleeping bags for temperate and colder environments.

P.S. I have slept in the field w/o sleeping bags with a modern military haircut as recommended by Sir Wolseley while in ROTC, Armor Officer Basic, and the N.G. during Autumn and early Spring events and it is an experience that I would not like to repeat if I can avoid it.

[Kevin O'Beirne]

I am going to assume, for the moment, that you are referring to the male of the species.

In all the period photographs which I have seen, I do not recall a single one showing a soldier with hair long enough to have to worry about it.

Agreed, with the caveot (of sorts) that there are plenty of photos of soldiers just in from the field--the Harewood Hospital photos from the spring 1864 Virginia campaign are a prime example--showing soldiers with "long" hair, meaning that their hair could be described as unkempt or shaggy, and in need of a haircut. Few if any of the photos of men "just in from the field" that I've seen have the preferred-length hair described in period handbooks, particularly if it was a longer, more-arduous campaign such as the Gettysburg, Chickamauga, and Overland campaign.

That I recall, I have never seen a photo of a Civil War soldier who's hair was long enough for a pony-tail.

[Curt-Heinrich Schmidt]

Hallo!

IMHo...

Art is not a photograph, and even with photographs what is being presented or portrayed is sometimes studio art, sometimes agenda, and sometimes just actual image capture of how the subject wished to be portrayed/captured at the moment in time.
Meaning, artists are often illustrators, not documentors. Art imitiates life, but does not always illustrate it as the intent, purpose, and circumstances of the authors work can be both objective as well as subjective.
For example, noted artist Benjamin West painted persons not at the historical event being depicted for patrongage and political considerations, or to create moods and effects.

But yes, in many quarters Homer is held to be evocative and mood producing, and telling a representative "story" if not Confederate allegory.

Others' mileage will vary...

CHS

[paul hadley]

I am going to assume, for the moment, that you are referring to the male of the species.

In all the period photographs which I have seen, I do not recall a single one showing a soldier with hair long enough to have to worry about it.

Long hair was pretty much out of fashion by the 1860s. Some of the older folks may have had it. It also made a good home for lice.

Well, I dunno -- check out this guy. Not PEC in just about every aspect of his life, but then rank does have its benefits.
Paul

[Pvt Schnapps]

From Wikipedia


One critical thing should be noted which would have a major bearing on his comment that you quoted; he was a British officer who rose quickly through the ranks. He would rarely have to sleep on the ground with just a ground cloth and blanket for warmth. As has been mentioned several times, hair is an excellent insulator and can be critical in helping keep one warm on cold Spring and Autumn nights when one's heat is the only part of the body not under the blanket(s). That is why the modern military issues soldiers cocoon sleeping bags for temperate and colder environments.

P.S. I have slept in the field w/o sleeping bags with a modern military haircut as recommended by Sir Wolseley while in ROTC, Armor Officer Basic, and the N.G. during Autumn and early Spring events and it is an experience that I would not like to repeat if I can avoid it.

I mainly posted that quote because I found it a couple of weeks ago and thought it was kind of funny in the context of this discussion.

That said, Sir Garnet did sleep on the ground and in that same pocket-book describes his kit in great detail. He seems to have felt that a sleeping cap would take care of the chill and that vermin posed a greater threat.

And some Americans felt the same way. In Kim Crawford's history of the 16th Michigan Colonel Stockton is quoted from a letter home in which he compares his haircut in the field with that of a convict.

There are plenty of descriptions and photos of scruffy soldiers, but the evidence would lead one to believe that pony-tails on enlisted men were rarer than females in the ranks.

[tompritchett]

There are plenty of descriptions and photos of scruffy soldiers, but the evidence would lead one to believe that pony-tails on enlisted men were rarer than females in the ranks.

On that we both agree. As far a a sleeping cap, yes it helps a little but its effectiveness is affected by the amount of hair trapping air underneath it. As far as vermin are concerned, it is my impression that after a month or two in the field, very few were exempt from their company. I will admit that I have never had head lice (but not lice elsewhere), but I do know that for me having a cold head at night is a surefire way to develop a serious cough the next day, so I suspect that I would expect that I would be willing to put up with the lice in order to stay that much warmer.

[Rob Weaver]

An ancestor of a close friend of mine had beautiful long wavy tresses of shoulder length hair. The shine of the moonlight on it gave him away one night and he was captured on picket duty. Died in Andersonville. I cut my hair after seeing his photo and learning that story.

[Rob]

Well, I dunno -- check out this guy. Not PEC in just about every aspect of his life, but then rank does have its benefits.
Paul

And look what happened to him...

[Elaine Kessinger]

Hairstyles in Uniforms of the American Civil War by Ron Field and Robin Smith...
In this work are contained several CDVs of Gents with very close cropped (buzzed) hairstyles and male pattern baldness. To note pages: 8, 85, 96, 28 (is wearing a hat and large beard but hair looks very close cropped to me), and on page 88 "The men (NY Fire Zoaves) also shaved their heads like the French Zoaves".
A loose shoulder length style seen page 251 on a gent from Missouri, on page 138 several Federal Officers, including G.A. Custer, with his famous "long hair"

[Curt-Heinrich Schmidt]

Hallo!

George Custer had cut his red hair short well before the Little Big Horn campaign, and was starting to bald as well.

CHS

[Pete K]

As to the earlier post about art and reality just look at the many images of the room where Linclon died. Some artists had as few as four people in the room some had dozens. One looked like most of the Cabinet, the General staff, and Congress crammed into the tiny apartment. Time changed perceptions, many folks wanted to be present at the event years later for political and social advancment.

[FloridaConfederate]

You guys are too much.

The moment I get home I will delete the image.

I am sorry that I posted it.

Again I did not put it out to justify the mid-19th century mullet.

[vamick]

And look what happened to him...

If I remember correctly, he had cut his hair shorter just prior to his "tactical miscalculation" at Little Bighorn ...

I think the bottom line of this thread is that long flowing tresses werent "PEC" for most men during the war, but, that it wouldnt have been a huge surprise to see a 'dandy' er two, not to mention a wild scraggly bushwacker type here an there in yer more disreputable environs;) after all..what we have to go by are photographs...how many never had their image taken? how many were never written about nor wrote about themselves?...all we can do is try to cut the middle of the road so to speak a company of 'Buffalo Bills and William Butler Hickok's" would be as wrong as saying it never happened at all
BTW theres a lot to be said for 'seasonal haircuts'! its just common sense when living out in the open! to me its more of 'man's shame' to freeze yer pate because of some societial foofarall..I'll just betcha the old vetrans felt the same! haircuts and shaves are one of the luxuries ofthe campaign aftermath

[Kevin O'Beirne]

I have been attempting to avoid the discussion on whether one could take period and period-ish artwork as documentation. That said, I referred to photographs of soldiers "just in from the field" as perhaps the best type of indisputible evidence of what soldiers on campaign really looked like. You're right that many photos of soldiers are of only somewhat limited use for reenactors who want to determine how they should look, because most soldier photos were taken in a studio and do not really represent what the man looked like on campaign. In contrast, photos such as the Harewood hospital images are, indeed, documented largely to soldiers just in from the campaign, and often show (relative to hairstyles) a somewhat shaggy and relatively unkempt look, at least on a number of individuals.

Of course, the person who wishes to wear their hair long at a reenactment can, if they look long and hard enough, find an historical justification for it that satisfies them... in effect waving the "leopard skin pants flag". :)

[Rob]

I remember, many years ago, certain National Guardsmen of my acquaintance who wanted to grow their hair longer than the regulations dictated. The problem was that it needed to be short when they were on their duty weekends.

The answer? A short-hair wig!

Perhaps this is an idea whose time has come again? :confused:

[hiplainsyank]

I. In contrast, photos such as the Harewood hospital images are, indeed, documented largely to soldiers just in from the campaign, and often show (relative to hairstyles) a somewhat shaggy and relatively unkempt look, at least on a number of individuals.



This would also seem to apply to the Lookout Mt. photos where there are a couple where the guys took off their hats and don't have buzz cuts, but neither do they have long hair. They seem to have a lot of hair sitting on top of their heads, I've noticed.

Also, from look at pictures of the dead, I'm amazed at how many soldiers did actually seem to shave on campaign. GRanted, some of them probably didn't have to shave much because they were kids, but lots did go to the trouble of shaving.

[Rob Weaver]

There's a picture of me floating around the reenacting world sitting in the sun smoking my pipe and sporting my "Southern style" hair (sort of like Sidney Lanier). Just for the record, I loved that mullet.

[Southern Cal]

It's probably a poor comparison of Winslow Homer's work after the war while he was trying to make a name for himself as a painter, to his work as an illustrator for Harper's Weekly during the war. He was apprenticed in lithography and drew on blocks of wood what he observed of real life in the field, then sent these off to be engraved by others to be printed. Alfred Waud was a battlefield sketch artist noted for getting close to the action. Thomas Nast is known for his attention to detail. These folks really wanted to convey something of reality to the readers of Harper's Weekly. One can do well studying their work and observing how favorably much of it compares with period photography. And one doesn't see much long hair either in their illustrations. Pony tails, long hair, and mullets transform reenactors into real life cartoons and cariciatures, and that's sad.

[Rob Weaver]

Don't forget Edwin Forbes! I think I fell in love with the Civil War because his woodcuts looked so much like the real thing. I agree all around. Long hair seems to have been an anomaly in the 1860s.Sometimes sported by Romantics who championed Polish independence and music like Wagner on one extreme, and by western scouts purposefully exaggerating their wild appearance. Then there's Custer, the circus rider gone mad. :D Realizing that reenacting is a hoby that occupies at most 10% of your regular life, how long you wear your hair becomes a compromise.

[Pvt Schnapps]

Let's not forget that fashions changed during the war. My mother left me a copy of a wonderful work -- Milia Davenport's 1948 'The Book of Costume' -- that looks like it will soon end up available through Google Books (they already have a mention, but no preview). On pp. 914-918 are a series of photos of students at Union College in Schenectady in 1860, and a group shot of students in 1865. None of them have pony-tails (or Wolseley-style buzz cuts, for that matter), but there's a significant difference. The boys in 1860 have all kinds of flowing tresses (though none completely cover the ears or collar) and a great variety of facial hair. In 1865 the hair is shorter, slicked down, and the boys are universally clean-shaven. The war has made a difference.

[Regular3]

"In the field no man's hair should exceed half an inch in length; this is essential for the well-being and cleanliness of soldiers. It can only be carried out successfully when the officers of regiments and departments set the example. None except those who have worn their hair after such a fashion can appreciate the luxury it confers on service. No man can have that smart bearing, which is the outward mark of a soldier, who allows his hair to be so long that he can part it. A well-cropped head is the first great step towards cleanliness. The beard and whiskers should be cut close about once a week. Hair is the glory of a woman, but the shame of a man."

Sir Garnet Wolseley, "Soldier's Pocket-Book" (1869), p. 166Or this, from the Regulations:

100. Where conveniences for bathing are to be had, the men should bathe once or twice a week. The feet to be washed at least twice a week. The hair kept short, (their emphasis) and beard neatly trimmed.