Civil War tats

[Lincoln Wonk]

I found this interesting, especially the photos of Civil War tattoos:

https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/ci...d5a7c1cab4

[L Verge]

This is a great article, Kathy. I vaguely remember doing an article on the history of tattoos many long years ago for the Surratt Courier. I'll have to check the newsletter index (available online at surrattmuseum.org).

[Eva Elisabeth]

Wow, that was fascinating, Kathy!!! Thanks for sharing!

[Rsmyth]

Very interesting! Tattoos being used as an early form of dog tags. I got my first tattoo in 1969 when only bikers or navy vets did. Today they are very mainstream, with models walking runways inked and every celebrity chef on tv sporting a sleeve.

[Thomas Kearney]

I did not know that. I think I might have to get the Eagle and American Flag to accompany my Oriole bird and the state flag of Maryland I want to get.

[LincolnMan]

Didn't know about that at all. I, too, have a tat. Mine was during my Army years. Still looks good but could use some touching up. I probably won't do that-not "feeling it."

[David Lockmiller]

I found this interesting, especially the photos of Civil War tattoos:

https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/ci...d5a7c1cab4

Maud Wagner (wife of Gus Wagner). Gus taught her to tattoo (in trade for a date, they say) and she was also an aerialist and contortionist in a circus.

She looked to be the Madonna of her times and based on the photograph of her and her tattoos, she did not seem to be overly concerned about what other people thought.