The Best Facial Hair in the Civil War

Some say the U.S. Civil War was fought over slavery. Others say it was really about Northern and Southern lifestyle values. But, 150 years later, with the results clearly determines and the effects established, the real question is:

Which side had the better facial hair?   The Smithsonian magazine dug through the Library on Congress archives and selected twenty-four very fine beards, mustaches, the original sideburns, and everything in between.

A few of my favorites:

And here’s Maj. Gen. Ambrose Burnside, commander of the Army of the Potomac, and the namesake for the sideburns:

Click through the candidates and vote for your favorite at The Smithsonian: The Best Facial Hair in the Civil War