If you read the Fillies’ “It’s Yee-Haw Day” on Monday, you know that I got a tattoo…my very first (and probably my last!) in early February. My nephew owns a tattoo business in Florida. At the invitation of my son and daughter-in-law, we flew down for a long (and I might add, VERY COLD) weekend. While I was getting the tattoo, we talked about the history of the art of tattooing.
My daughter-in-law immediately got on her phone, offering information. When I heard that it was popular during the Civil War, my radar went up as I was researching interesting tidbits for my next book.
Tattoos have a long history as a means of identification in the military. In ancient Rome, mercenaries were marked with a permanent ink from acacia bark, corroded bronze and sulphuric acid to help in identifying deserters. When King Harold II was disfigured beyond recognition at the Battle of Hastings, his common-law wife was only able to recognize him based on his tattoos.
Tattoos were used to mark slaves, criminals, and gladiators, and the Latin word “stigma” was used to mean a brand, or scar–any permanent mark left on a person’s skin. When French and British traders met native people, they often recorded the markings on their bodies, instead of their names in trading logs. During the Revolutionary War, colonial sailors decorated themselves with symbols of their newborn country–the “goddess” Columbia, the face of George Washington, eagle with sheaves, or the American flag.
“A sailor may not wear his heart upon his sleeve, but he does wear it upon his chest.” E. Barnes
With the onset of the Civil War, these patriotic themes gained in popularity. Martin Hildebrandt, a talkative man with a crucifix inked on his back was happy to tell newspaper reporters about his unusual trade.
“During the war time I never had a moment’s idle time. I must have marked thousands of sailors and soldiers…I put the names of hundreds of soldiers on their arms or breasts, and many were recognized by these marks after being killed or wounded.”
Tattooing can be excruciating (I can testify to that!) and in the Civil War, methods were relatively primitive and conditions less than sanitary. Hildebrandt’s tattoo method required about six #12 needles, bound together in a slanting form, dipped into India ink. The puncture of the skin was made at an angle, ensuring that the needles pricked only the surface. Colorants could be made up of ink and wet gunpowder. However, he was restricted to only two colors, blue and red.
“If we could only get a green to work into a wreath, the contrast would be charming, but I am afraid it can’t be done.” M. Hildebrandt
After the tattoo was done, any excess blood and ink was washed off with water or alcohol, usually rum or brandy. Many a soldier had his name, regiment, and residence inked for identification.
“Every regiment had its tattooers, with outfits of needles and India-ink who for a fee decorated the limbs and bodies of their comrades with flags, muskets, cannon…and patriotic emblems…It was like writing one’s own epitaph, but the custom prevented many bodies from being buried in ‘unknown’ graves.” William Hinman
In addition to identification and patriotism, tattooing during the war was used to memorialize the experience of war and the lives of fellow soldiers. Much like the sailors who pioneered tattooing before them, these soldiers wanted to honor the memories of fallen comrades, to show regimental pride, and demonstrate their love for their homelands.
But beneath their clothes, many men held the marks from the war–voluntary scars to commemorate a shared trauma, claims of individuality in the face of mass death, assertions of humanity that couldn’t be taken away.
*******************A Giveway!*****************
To win a digital copy of “No Finer Dream,” comment on the following question…
Have you gotten OR would you be interested in getting a tattoo?
New release coming tomorrow, March 6th…
“Your journey doesn’t have to end in disappointment.”
Lila Hartley had waited for hours on the frozen train platform, a mail-order bride no one came to claim, her trunk beside her like a tombstone. The man who’d promised her marriage, a home, and a future, left her stranded two thousand miles from Boston with nothing but the clothes on her back and a heart full of shattered dreams.
Just when hope was fading, a man emerged from the white curtain of snow like an apparition, took off his coat, and changed her life.
Clay McCallister viewed every woman who had taken a chance on the frontier as the sister he’d failed…a woman who’d risked everything for the possibility of something better, much like the woman standing on the platform in the bitter cold.
Sometimes warmth doesn’t always come from fire — sometimes it comes from the heart.
Born and raised in western Massachusetts, Jo-Ann Roberts was fascinated by America’s Old West and always felt she was destined to travel on a wagon train following the Oregon Trail. With her love of history and reading, she began reading historical romance during high school and college. Victoria Holt, Jude Deveraux, and Roseanne Bittner were among her favorites. Influenced by her father, she fell in love with John Wayne, James Garner, and her all-time favorite, James Stewart and grew up watching Wagon Train, Bonanza and Rawhide.
A firm believer in HEA with a healthy dose of realism, Jo-Ann strives to give her readers a sweet historical romance while imparting carefully researched historical facts, personalities, and experiences relative to the time period. Her romances take her readers back to a simpler time to escape the stress of modern life by living in a small town where families and friends help one another find love and happiness.
When she isn’t creating believable plots and relatable heroes and heroines, Jo-Ann enjoys spending time with her husband, children and grandson. She also enjoys baking, quilting and eating way too much chocolate.
After 38 years in public education in Connecticut and Maryland, she’s now calls North Carolina home.
No, Jo-Ann, I’d never voluntarily get a tattoo. Thanks for sharing the info about the history of tattoos, though and for running the giveaway.
Welcome, Mary. Your sentiment about not getting a tattoo is echoed by many of the readers. I’m glad you found the information interesting. Thanks for stopping by P&P.
J.
I don’t have any and probably won’t–my brothers have them.
Welcome, Denise. Your sentiment about not getting a tattoo is echoed by many of the readers. Thanks for stopping by P&P.
J.
I don’t have any nor do I want any. I do not like needles.
Welcome, Ann. Your sentiment about not getting a tattoo is echoed by many of the readers. I’m glad you found the information interesting. Thanks for stopping by P&P.
J.
I don’t have any tattoos, but have thought about it many times. I have a small one that I may get one day, but definitely not interested in being covered in them.
Welcome, Danielle. I think one is enough for me also…definitely not interested in being cover in them. Thanks for stopping by P&P and commenting.
J.
No I don’t have any tattoos, nor will I ever get one.
Welcome, Elaine. Your sentiment about not getting a tattoo is echoed by many of the readers. Thanks for stopping by P&P and leaving a comment.
J.
No not interested in getting a tattoo.
Welcome, Sharon. Your sentiment about not getting a tattoo is echoed by many of the readers. Thanks for stopping by P&P and leaving a comment.
J.
Yes, I have a couple tattoos, a cross and a heart. Very interesting information!
Welcome, Karen. I’m glad you enjoyed the blog. As I said in the blog, I think one is enough for me. Thanks for stopping by P&P and leaving a comment.
J.
I’ve never had a tattoo and not interested in getting one, but I did enjoy reading your post.
Welcome, Connie Lee. Your sentiment about not getting a tattoo is echoed by many of the readers. I’m glad you found the information interesting. Thanks for stopping by P&P and leaving a comment.
J.
Hate needles so NO.
Welcome, Kim. Your sentiment about not getting a tattoo is echoed by many of the readers. Thanks for stopping by P&P and leaving a comment
J.
I am not, but my daughter and son both have them, my daughter in honor of her Grandmothers!
Welcome, Teresa. Your sentiment about not getting a tattoo is echoed by many of the readers. I love your daughter has a tattoo to honor her grandmother. Thanks for stopping by P&P and leaving a comment.
J.
I have never had a tattoo and do not plan to.
Welcome Paula. Your sentiment about not getting a tattoo is echoed by many of the readers. Thanks for stopping by P&P and leaving a comment.
J.
I enjoyed your post. I was surprised to learn how popular tattoos were in history. I do not have a tattoo.
Welcome, Susan. Your sentiment about not getting a tattoo is echoed by many of the readers. I’m glad you found the information interesting. Thanks for stopping by P&P and leaving a comment.
J.
Good morning Jo-Ann! Thanks for the article on tatoos this morning. I have never had the desire to have a tatoo. I had a few uncles who did. They were in the service. My parents did not. My brothers and I did not. My husband has not. And even my children didn’t. I don’t think any of us had the desire to have one. Interesting though because a lot of people do!
Best wishes Jo-Ann!
Welcome, Tracy. Your sentiment about not getting a tattoo is echoed by many of the readers. I’m glad you found the information interesting. Thanks for stopping by P&P and leaving a comment.
J.
Very interesting article Jo Ann. A topic not many think of considering how far back in history it goes.
I do not have tattoos nor do I have any overwhelming desire to get one/some.
The only exception would be having my name, “serial number” and an American Flag done for purposes of ID.
Welcome, Carol. Your sentiment about not getting a tattoo is echoed by many of the readers. I’m glad you found the information interesting. Thanks for stopping by P&P and leaving a comment.
J.
no
Welcome. Your sentiment about not getting a tattoo is echoed by many of the readers. Thanks for stopping by P&P and leaving a comment.
J.
I don’t have any tattoos, but I’ve considered getting a small one in memory of my dad, maybe a horseshoe with some barbed wire because he was a cowboy. I’m a little bit scared of the pain though.
Welcome, Kim. I didn’t know what to expect…I thought he was just going to trace the design with a pen. But as I said in the blog, they are needles going into the skin. Maybe a small horseshoe would be bearable. I got my design from Pinterest and added my grandsons’ initials. Thanks for stopping by P&P and leaving a comment.
J.
I don’t have any tattoos and never will at my age.
Welcome. Your sentiment about not getting a tattoo is echoed by many of the readers. Thanks for stopping by P&P and leaving a comment.
J.
No- I have never gotten a tattoo, nor do I plan on doing so. The Bible tells me my body is sacred and belongs to GOD, so no markings on it. The thought just makes me cringe. Why would I want to go through the pain?
Welcome, Judy. Your sentiment about not getting a tattoo is echoed by many of the readers. Thanks for stopping by P&P and leaving a comment.
J.
Welcome, Judy. Your sentiment about not getting a tattoo is echoed by many of the readers. Thanks for stopping by P&P and leaving a comment.
J.
No, and no.
Welcome, Bridgette. Your sentiment about not getting a tattoo is echoed by many of the readers. Thanks for stopping by P&P and leaving a comment.
J.
Jo-Ann, this is interesting. I know tattooing goes back a long way to even cave man. That 5,300 year old Ice Man they found buried high in the Alps had tattoos all over him. I got a small flower tattoo on my hip to mark my 30th birthday. Back then it was considered very daring. One of my granddaughters has gone crazy and has tattoos all over herself. That many looks really gross to me. I really love the one you got, Jo-Ann. You’re quite scandalous! 🙂 🙂 🙂
Linda, I don’t care for the all-over-the-body tattoo. I think this will be my only one! My husband says I continue to surprise him, even at my age! Thanks for leaving a comment.
J.
Absolutely not!!!
Welcome, Nancy. Welcome, Judy. Your sentiment about not getting a tattoo is echoed by many of the readers. Thanks for stopping by P&P and leaving a comment.
J.
Hi first of all, I love your tattoo and what and who it stands for. I enjoyed reading your post. And yes I have always wanted a tattoo, but have not gotten one yet. (not entering this ebook giveaway as I am not tech savvy but Thank you) Have a great weekend.
I do have one tattoo. It is for suicide awareness. It’s a small butterfly with a semi-colon as the body and antenna on my ankle.
Thank you for sharing the history of the tattoo.
Welcome, Bonnie. Your tattoo sounds lovely and I like that it represents something worthwhile, and obviously close to your heart. Thanks for stopping by P &P and leaving a comment.
J.
No, I won’t get one.
Welcome, Barbara. Your sentiment about not getting a tattoo is echoed by many of the readers. Thanks for stopping by P&P and leaving a comment.
J.
I’ve always wanted a tat. My son got one last year. It’s a beautiful on depicting Icarus. My brother has several. One sister has a couple while the other has a few. Even my Mom has a couple! I’m not sure what I’d get but cash holds me back so will probably never happen.
I LOVE yours!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Welcome, Carrie. As I said in the blog, this will be my one and only tattoo. I got the design from Pinterest, and added my grandsons’ initials. Thanks for stopping by P&P and leaving a comment.
J.
Have never gotten one nor ever wanted one. As a Christian, my body is the temple of the Living God.
Welcome, Sarah. Your sentiment about not getting a tattoo is echoed by many of the readers. Thanks for stopping by P&P and leaving a comment.
J.
Just no.
Did you know the oldest known tattooed man Ötzi’s tattoos seem to have served a therapeutic or diagnostic purpose for Ötzi, who suffered joint and spinal degeneration?
Welcome, Minna. Your sentiment about not getting a tattoo is echoed by many of the readers. I didn’t know that tattoos could help ease joint and spinal degeneration. Maybe my tattoo will help my L4 & L5 pain. Thanks for stopping by P&P and leaving a comment.
J.
I don’t have any tattoos, and don’t plan on ever getting any. I know in years past (and not that far past!!) if you had a tattoo you couldn’t have an MRI.
Welcome, Trudy. Your sentiment about not getting a tattoo is echoed by many of the readers. I have not heard about MRIs and tattoos. I’m going for a mammogram soon. I’ll be sure to tell them.Thanks for stopping by P&P and leaving a comment.
J.
I considered getting a small one on my ankle, but never did. Our son has some and they are very nicely done. One of them on his left forearm was done to cover up scars from a bear attack. Most of his are nice and pertain to something important in his life. I met one young woman who had a tiger tattooed on her back. It was in prowling mode and went from her neck to her waist. It was beautifully done. I remember when I was growing up, tattoos were not as acceptable as they are today. My dad was in the navy and had my mom’s initials on his arm. I remember thinking if a sailor had a ship tattooed on his chest when he was young, when he was older and began to sag a bit, it would look like the ship was sinking.
Anyway, thank you for an interesting post. Your nephew does nice work.
Welcome, Patricia. I like that your son’s tattoos pertain to something meaningful in his life. My daughter-in-law got a rose vine tattoo since her birthday and her parents’ birthdays are in June. And since they are deceased, there are two petals falling from the vine. Thanks for stopping by P&P and leaving a comment.
J.