Great point, most of them did wear a full beard. Those that did shave were probably using razors that were handed to them from parents. I'm sure there were more than a few stub tails being used in the camps.:)
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Great points! Thanks for all the "detective like" imput. I think you have a point that there wasn't a lot of shopping going on between battles and not even being able to shoe the union soldiers. On the other hand, the battles were fought in and around populated areas. I would think that soldiers regularly passed through towns that had a store and that they might stop and purchase an item or two. But, i'm no history guru. It's too hard to imagine the civil war era and what it was like to have your country at war with itself.
It was common during the "War of Northern Aggression" ;) for sutlers to follow the armies and sell goods, victuals, and etceteras out of their wagons. I'm sure the inventory available depended entirely upon the proprietors ability to procure said goods as well.